Wear-resistant plain bearing has green credentials
Polymer researcher and bearings specialist igus has developed a plain bearing material that is based on 54 per cent sustainable and natural raw materials.
The basic polymer of the new iglidur N54 plain bearing is mainly made of castor oil, rather than finite crude oil. The company's mechanically and tribologically optimised biopolymer is suitable for universal use in the low-load range.
"The introduction of our iglidur N54 biopolymer marks the first serious step towards 'green bearings'," commented Matt Aldridge of igus UK. "The biopolymer is made from crop oil instead of crude oil – you can't eat it and it's not biodegradable – but it is an industry first for a technical polymer."
The new bio-bearing fits well within the igus concept of developing environmentally-friendly alternatives for applications that currently work with lubricated metallic plain or roller bearings. iglidur N54 bearings help to not only protect our natural resources, they are self-lubricating so kinder to the environment.
