DU vs DX Bearings: Find the Right Fit for Your Equipment

Oct 23, 2025 Hazel Chen

DU vs DX Bearings: Find the Right Fit for Your Equipment

If you’ve ever browsed a bearing catalog, you’ve probably noticed DU and DX types sitting side by side, both are metal-polymer composite bushings  
But they made for a very different jobs.


DU Bearings – Running, Maintenance-Free

The sliding layer of DU bearings is based on PTFE (Teflon), endowing them with excellent dry-running performance. PTFE's extremely low friction coefficient allows the bearings to operate smoothly even under non-lubricated or under-lubricated dry conditions, reducing wear effectively and significantly enhancing applicability and reliability in harsh or hard-to-maintain environments.

DU bearings are known for:

  • Low friction and smooth movement

  • Excellent wear resistance

  • Wide temperature tolerance

  • True “fit and forget” performance

In short: if your system needs clean, dry, and maintenance-free operation, DU is your go-to choice.


DX Bearings – Strength Under Lubrication

On the other hand, DX bearings are designed for harsher environments. Their surfaces are made of POM (polyoxymethylene), a robust engineering plastic with tiny oil pockets that retain lubrication, ensuring reliable performance under extreme conditions.

DX bearings deliver:

  • High load capacity

  • Longer lifespan with proper lubrication

  • Better resistance under vibration and shock

  • Ideal performance for greased or contaminated conditions

So, if your system works hard, under heavy load, and with regular lubrication, DX bearings will perform better.


DU vs DX — The Simple Comparison

Feature DU Bearings DX Bearings
Surface Material PTFE POM
Lubrication Dry running Requires lubrication
Load Capacity Medium to high High
Maintenance None required Periodic lubrication
Typical Applications Automotive, automation, small motors Hydraulics, construction, agriculture

Both are metal-polymer composites with steel backing and a bronze layer — but the top layer changes everything.


Choosing the Right Bearing

If your system operates mostly dry, choose DU.
If it’s greased or oil-lubricated, choose DX.

Before making a decision, take a quick look at the DU bearing datasheet or DX bearing datasheet — these provide key specifications like friction coefficient, PV limit, and temperature range.
Understanding these details helps prevent premature wear, unnecessary maintenance, or downtime.

A small material difference can lead to big results in performance, efficiency, and service life.


TUYUE Bearings — Precision and Reliability

At TUYUE, we manufacture and supply both DU and DX metal-polymer bearings, designed to meet the demands of global OEMs and industrial customers.
Every bearing goes through strict inspection for bonding strength, thickness accuracy, and wear resistance, ensuring consistent quality and long-term reliability.

Whether you need standard DU/DX bushings or custom bearing designs, TUYUE offers:

  • Reliable manufacturing and strict QC

  • Fast lead time and global shipping

  • Engineering support for custom solutions

Because in the end, a small detail like the right bearing choice can make a big difference in how your machines perform.


Ready to find the right fit?
Contact TUYUE today for technical datasheets, free samples, or customized solutions for your equipment.