EN 4539-003:2010

Overview

The EN 4539-003:2010 standard, published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), defines the specifications for aerospace spherical plain bearings made from corrosion-resistant steel with a self-lubricating liner. These bearings are designed for elevated load conditions under low oscillations and feature a low friction coefficient. This wide series, inch-based standard specifies dimensions, tolerances, mechanical loads, and surface treatments, targeting high-performance aerospace applications in demanding environments with temperatures ranging from -54 °C to 120 °C.

Key Topics

• Spherical Plain Bearings
  Bearings described in this standard utilize a corrosion-resistant steel construction combined with a self-lubricating liner, allowing for reduced maintenance and enhanced operational reliability.

• Material Specifications

  • Inner ring: Steel conforming to EN 2030, with a hardness range of 55 to 62 HRC.
  • Outer ring: Steel according to EN 3161, hardness between 28 to 37 HRC before swaging.
  • Liner: Self-lubricating, low-friction, wear-resistant material consistent with EN 4540 requirements.

• Dimensional Series and Tolerances
  The standard covers inch series wide types with precise dimensional control, including diameter codes, tolerances for bore and outside diameters, and surface roughness specifications to ensure optimal bearing performance.

• Surface Treatments
  Bearing components receive specific treatments for durability and corrosion resistance:

  • Chrome plating on the inner ring’s spherical diameter per AMS-QQ-C-320
  • Cadmium plating on the outer race following EN 2133, including chromating options on certain surfaces
  • Options with or without swaging grooves designated by codes "R" or "S"

• Load Capacities and Friction Coefficients
  The bearings are rated for static and dynamic loads, emphasizing elevated load capacity under low oscillations.

  • Static radial and axial limits, dynamic radial loads (up to 250,000 cycles) defined per diameter class.
  • A maximum friction coefficient of 0.18 within the operational temperature range of -54 °C to 120 °C, ensuring low friction during oscillating movements.

• Designation and Marking
  The standard provides a specific format for bearing identification, including diameter codes, surface technology, and surface treatment codes for traceability and uniformity. Marking complies with EN 2424:2008 style A.

Applications

This standard is essential for aerospace industry professionals, engineers, and manufacturers involved in the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft components requiring high-reliability spherical plain bearings. Typical applications include:

• Aircraft landing gear
• Aero-engine components
• Flight control systems
• Space launch mechanisms
• Other aerospace mechanical transmissions where corrosion resistance, low friction, and elevated load handling under low oscillation conditions are critical

Using bearings conforming to EN 4539-003:2010 guarantees compatibility with aerospace safety and performance requirements while minimizing maintenance thanks to the self-lubricating liner.

Related Standards

Readers and users of EN 4539-003:2010 should also consider these related standards for comprehensive compliance:

• EN 4540: Technical specifications for spherical plain bearings in corrosion-resistant steel with self-lubricating liner under elevated load and low oscillations.
• EN 2030: Specifications for hardened and tempered steel bars used for aerospace components.
• EN 2133: Cadmium plating requirements for steels and alloys.
• EN 2424: Standard for marking aerospace products for traceability.
• AMS-QQ-C-320: Aerospace specifications for chromium plating on bearing surfaces.
• ISO 1132-1: Rolling bearings terminology and tolerances for operational clarity.

Compliance with EN 4539-003:2010 and its associated standards ensures quality, safety, and interoperability in aerospace bearing applications, promoting reliability in critical flight systems.

Keywords: EN 4539-003:2010, aerospace bearings, spherical plain bearings, corrosion resistant steel, self-lubricating liner, low friction coefficient, elevated load, low oscillations, inch series, aerospace standards, bearing dimensions, surface treatment, aerospace components.