Plastic bearings versus other alternatives
An
Igus UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jul 22, 2009
Some engineers hesitate to use plastic bearings because they have trusted metal and bronze bearings for years or they simply don't think plastics can handle tough applications, according to Igus UK.
Plastic bearings, however, can endure extreme temperatures, heavy loads and high speeds.
Calculable plain bearings are made of high-performance plastic
However, it's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the options available.
Metal-backed, PTFE-based (polytetrafluoroethylene) polymer bearings have a steel backing bonded to a porous bronze sinter layer.
The layer is impregnated and overlaid with the filled PTFE bearing lining.
This thin lining can be scratched off by contaminates causing metal-to-metal contact between bearing and shaft.
This increases the coefficient of friction (COF) causing higher wear rates and shaft damage.
With sintered-bronze bearings, oil is drawn from the bearing as it rotates on the shaft (minimum speed of 1m/s).
The oil creates a thin film that then separates the bearing and shaft, preventing wear and shaft damage.
At high speeds, a low COF is achieved.
However, shaft oscillation, slow speeds, irregular use or uneven loads can impede film lubrication from being maintained.
As a result, the coefficient of friction and wear rates increase.
This type of bearing should never be used for linear motion.
Self-lubricating polymer bearings contain solid lubricants embedded in millions of tiny chambers of the fibre-reinforced material.
During operation, the bearing transfers lubricant onto the shaft to help lower the COF.
Unlike a sintered-bronze bushing, polymer bearings release solid lubricants as soon as the bearing or shaft is set in motion.
The fibre-reinforced materials inside the bearing withstand any high forces or edge loads.
Plastic bearings can also be used on many different shaft types.
Also, it's important not to confuse high-performance plastic bearings with plastic bearings from a local injection moulder.
With Iglidur plastic plain bearings, the life of a bearing according to wear rates, actual testing results and specific application parameters can be accurately calculated.
Igus offers the Expert System - a database where users can enter the maximum loads, speeds, temperatures, and shaft and housing materials, which then prompts the system to calculate the appropriate plastic bearing and its expected lifetime based on real-world testing.
Iglidur plastic plain bearings from Igus constitute the step from a simple plastic bushing to a tested, predictable and available machine component.
The company said that these bearings offer many advantages.
Plastic plain bearings can replace bronze, metal-backed and custom injection-moulded bearings in almost any application.
Their resistance to dirt, dust and chemicals make plastic bearings a 'fit-and-forget' solution.
Plastic plain bearings can reduce costs up to 25 per cent.
They feature high wear resistance, a low coefficient of friction and can replace more costly alternatives in a variety of applications.
Self-lubricating bearings transfer lubricant onto the shaft to help lower the coefficient of friction and are impervious to dirt, dust or other contaminants.
Plastic bearings are designed to maintain a low COF consistently over the lifetime of the bearing.
Compared to metal-backed bearings, which can become scratched and increase the COF, plastic bearings often last longer.
Plastic bearings can be used in wash-down applications, salt water and harsh chemicals without compromising performance.
Water can even be considered as a lubricant for plastic bearings.
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Contact Igus UK
Tel +44 1604 677240
Other Igus UK stories
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Igubal plastic bearings increase system durability
The Igubal system provides design engineers with a complete range of self-aligning bearings made of tribo-optimised plastic. -
Custom plastic bearings enable novel actuator
Igus has injection moulded a special design polymer bearing sleeve to support the thrust rod in a unique linear actuator. -
Plastic bearings have all applications covered
Igus UK reckons it can deliver a plastic bearing solution to suit any application. -
Plastic bearings perform in white-knuckle ride
Iglidur Z plastic bearings have been used in the new "X" roller coaster - the first in the world to operate in four dimensions. -
Plastic bearings offer automotive alternatives
Igus (UK) can provide a multitude of high-performance plastic bearing alternatives for the automotive industry.
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