A thrust bearing is described comprising first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) rotatable relative to each and a plurality of axially arranged bearing stages (14a, 14b) formed between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17). Each bearing stage comprises a first load shoulder (16) provided on the first bearing assembly (15), a second load shoulder (18) provided on the second bearing assembly (17), a bearing structure (30) defined between the first and second load shoulders; and an extrudable component (32) forming part of the bearing structure. Wherein axial load applied between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) in a first relative axial direction is transmitted between respective pairs of first and second load shoulders via the extrudable components (32) of respective bearing structures (30). The extrudable components (30) provide for load balancing between each bearing stage (14a, 14b).

A sliding member for a journal bearing is provided. A sliding layer includes fibrous particles dispersed in a synthetic resin, and has a sliding surface side region and an interface side region. The particles have an average particle size D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.sur, cir respectively in an axial and circumferential cross-section in the sliding surface side region, and D.sub.int, axi and D.sub.int, cir respectively in axial and circumferential cross-sections in the interface side region. D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.int, cir are 5-30 μm, and D.sub.sur, cir and D.sub.int, axi are 5 to 20% of respectively D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.int, cir. A dispersion index of the particles having the major axis length of 20 μm or longer is 5 or more, both in the sliding surface side region in view of the axial cross-section and in the interface side region in view of the circumferential cross-section.

A sliding member for a journal bearing is provided. A sliding layer includes fibrous particles dispersed in a synthetic resin, and has a sliding surface side region and an interface side region. The particles have an average particle size D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.sur, cir respectively in an axial and circumferential cross-section in the sliding surface side region, and D.sub.int, axi and D.sub.int, cir respectively in axial and circumferential cross-sections in the interface side region. D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.int, cir are 5-30 m, and D.sub.sur, cir and D.sub.int, axi are 5 to 20% of respectively D.sub.sur, axi and D.sub.int, cir. A dispersion index of the particles having the major axis length of 20 m or longer is 5 or more, both in the sliding surface side region in view of the axial cross-section and in the interface side region in view of the circumferential cross-section.

A photocurable resin composition for a self-lubricating liner contains a (meth)acrylate compound having an isocyanuric acid ring, a polytetrafluoroethylene resin and at least one of zirconium phosphate tungstate and zirconium phosphate.

A photocurable resin composition for a self-lubricating liner contains a (meth)acrylate compound having an isocyanuric acid ring, a polytetrafluoroethylene resin and at least one of zirconium phosphate tungstate and zirconium phosphate.

A suspension assembly is described. A suspension assembly including a support member; a moving member; one or more bearings; and one or more bearing limiters. The one or more bearings between the support member and the moving member to space the support member and moving member by a bearing distance about the z axis. And, the one or more bearing limiters between the first and second members to limit movement of the support member and moving member about the z axis to a gap distance that is less than the bearing distance.

A suspension assembly is described. A suspension assembly including a support member; a moving member; one or more bearings; and one or more bearing limiters. The one or more bearings between the support member and the moving member to space the support member and moving member by a bearing distance about the z axis. And, the one or more bearing limiters between the first and second members to limit movement of the support member and moving member about the z axis to a gap distance that is less than the bearing distance.

A thrust bearing is described comprising first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) rotatable relative to each and a plurality of axially arranged bearing stages (14a, 14b) formed between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17). Each bearing stage comprises a first load shoulder (16) provided on the first bearing assembly (15), a second load shoulder (18) provided on the second bearing assembly (17), a bearing structure (30) defined between the first and second load shoulders; and an extrudable component (32) forming part of the bearing structure. Wherein axial load applied between the first and second bearing assemblies (15, 17) in a first relative axial direction is transmitted between respective pairs of first and second load shoulders via the extrudable components (32) of respective bearing structures (30). The extrudable components (30) provide for load balancing between each bearing stage (14a, 14b).