A rotary-anode X-ray tube, comprising a rotary anode which is journalled in a vacuum-tight housing by means of at least one sleeve bearing whose mutually co-operating bearing surfaces are made of W or Mo or of an alloy of W and Mo. The bearing is lubricated by Ga or a Ga alloy having a melting point below 25 DEG C. The Ga or Ga alloy lubricant is in molecular wetting contact with the bearing surfaces so that the bearing surfaces are completely separated from each other in the loaded condition. During standstill, as well as during rotation, the lubricant is not forced out of the bearing, so that the bearing surfaces cannot become fused. The wear and the bearing noise are therefore extremely low. The desired, thorough wetting is obtained by making the bearing surfaces, as well as the Ga alloy, oxide-free before they are brought into contact with each other.
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