The main 5 iglide® polymer bearing materials
“Give me your most difficult part, and I will find a solution.”
This was the bold promise igus® founder Günter Blase made to his eventual first customer, Pierburg, in 1964. Over 60 years later, this remains the attitude of igus across the globe. And yet, while igus offers over 50 different polymer bearing materials to ensure a solution is always possible, the vast majority of problems brought to us by customers can be solved with one of the five “main” iglide® materials: iglide G, iglide M250, iglide J, iglide A350, and iglide X.
iglide® G, the classic all-rounder
iglide G was the very first polymer material developed by igus. This versatile and economical bearing does exactly what it says on the box. It’s perfect for medium surface speeds, for oscillating and rotational movements, and has a high wear resistance. It is also the most cost-effective bearing, offering low cost combined with good mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties.
With over 650 sizes available from stock, iglide G bearings make up the largest range of standard catalog parts from igus.
iglide® M250, the robust all-rounder
iglide M250 is suited for robust applications and is defined by its impact strength and ability to absorb shock loads. M250 bearings also have excellent wear-resistant properties, so it is of no surprise that they excel in applications where resilience is necessary.
These thick-walled bearings are designed for high impacts and resistance to edge loads, so they are ideally suited for agricultural machines and garden appliances. They are also often used to replace steel or bronze counterparts.
iglide® J, the versatile endurance runner
iglide J is known for its endurance and performs best when running at low and high speeds with medium loads. However, this isn’t a restriction; iglide J can keep up with the best of other igus polymer bearing materials.
One of the main advantages of iglide J bearings is their combination of a low coefficient of friction and low wear on most shaft materials. With low friction, especially when running on hard anodized shafts, iglide J eliminates the problems created by stick-slip, meaning it has the same breakaway friction as running friction.
iglide® W300, the wear-resistant workhorse
When it comes to surviving harsh environments and rough shafts, iglide W300 is in a class of its own. Of all the iglide materials, W300 is the most tolerant of demanding external conditions, offering excellent wear resistance even when other bearings would struggle.
W300 is built for the long haul, with a very long service life backed by exceptional wear resistance, a low coefficient of friction, and a maximum recommended surface pressure of 8,702 psi. It performs especially well with soft shafts, making it a go-to choice when hardened shafts aren't an option, although hardened shafts are still preferred when loads run high.
iglide® X, the high-tech problem solver
iglide X is defined by its combination of high-temperature resistance and compressive strength, along with high resistance to chemicals. It has been designed for higher speeds than other iglide polymer bearing materials, especially at high temperatures.
It has the lowest moisture absorption, withstands the highest temperatures, and has the best chemical resistance of the main five materials. It is often chosen for use in aircraft interiors, as it conforms to the fire prevention requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is also one of the only polymer bearing materials that can be used in a vacuum!
Infographic: The main 5 iglide® materials
So, as Günter Blase once said, “Give me your most difficult part, and I will find a solution.” If one of these five main materials can’t produce the results you need, we have another 45 materials to choose from. Reach out and get started today!
