The
Top
10
Reasons to use composite
plastic bearings
Composite plastic bearings combine base plastics, fibrous reinforcements, and solid lubricants
for tailored bearing solutions with predictable lifetime in a wide variety of applications. These
bearings run do not require maintenance or external lubrication, are resistant to corrosion and
debris, conduct heat efficiently, and dampen vibrations while maintaining high compressive
strength. Read on for the top ten reasons to consider plastic bearings.
1. Lighter weight than metal bearings
Swapping metal bearings for composite plastic bearings can reduce weight by 25% or more.
The difference in density between composite plastic materials and metals -
1 to 3 g/cm
3
vs. 7 to 9 g/cm
3
- makes the weight reduction obvious.
2. Corrosion resistance
iglide
®
plastic bearings are non-metalic meaning they do not rust and can be used in all types
of environments which include complete submersion in water.The iglide
®
product line also
includes bearings that are able to resist harsh acids, such as hydrochloric acid, as well as
UV and other high-energy radiation. Chemical resistance can change with temperature and
chemical concentration, so be sure to take your specific application conditions into account.
3. 100% self-lubricating
iglide
®
plastic bearings are designed to run dry, without any external lubrication. They
contain millions of tiny chambers, that house particles of solid lubricant, which are released
as friction against a shaft occurs. Homogeneous blending of the plastic material means that
lubricant cannot be pressed out, and will last throughout the entire service life of the bearing.
4. Forgiving of shock and edge loads; vibration damping
Plastic bearings run quietly and absorb or dampen vibrations. Their mechanical loss factor,
an indicator of vibration-damping capability, is up to 250 times that of metal bearings. The
fiber-reinforced material blends are tailored to specific application requirements, helping
bearings stand up to shock and edge loads in a wide range of application settings.
Learn more at www.igus.com/iglide
