Wooden sliding bearings

Abstract

Wood, acting as a construction material, has been utilized by humans since the beginning of times. The early human-made machines were made entirely from wood. With time, technical progress gradually displaced wood from machine design and construction. However, despite the passage of time, due to the low cost and availability of wood, the elements in the quickly worn out machine parts still were made from wood. Sliding bearing shells or replaceable gear teeth need to be replaced here. These elements can still be found in pre-war mills. This article contains examples overview of wood application in such areas as bearings, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. It also indicates the desirability of undertaking further research on the use of wood in tribological pairs.