A journal bearing can handle axial loads?

A journal bearing is primarily designed to accommodate radial loads rather than axial loads. It operates with a shaft rotating within a bearing shell, and its main function is to support the radial forces exerted by the rotating shaft. When considering the loads acting on a journal bearing, it's important to note that axial loads, which push along the length of the shaft rather than perpendicular to it, are not ideally managed by journal bearings.

While there are specific designs and configurations that can handle axial loads (like thrust bearings), in standard journal bearings, axial forces can cause misalignment and can lead to increased wear or failure if the bearing was not built to accommodate such loads. Thus, stating that a journal bearing can handle axial loads is inaccurate, aligning with the answer that indicates it is false.