Plastic bearings proved to last
1 min read
A bearing material used in plain, linear and rod end bearings has been laboratory and lifetime tested for durability and proved to last millions of cycles, even in the most arduous environments.
Some of the most common reasons for bearing failure are improper lubrication, fatigue, corrosion, foreign matter and high temperatures. iglidur bearings from igus UK are available in a variety of tribo-plastic materials that are lubricant and therefore, maintenance-free. Each bearing type is tested extensively in a variety of applications and environments that ensure the capacity of its capabilities.
Improper bearing lubrication can cause overheating but plastic bearings have very low coefficients of friction. High speeds and overloading also causes bearing failure. They do not suffer from corrosion and some are resistant to chemicals and other agents. And because they are lubricant-free and dry running they do not attract dirt and debris; a common problem for metal bearings that need regular greasing.
Choosing the right bearing for the application will ensure maximum reliability and durability of equipment and igus has a bearing lifetime calculator tool on its website to help engineers. Simply input the application requirements into the lifetime calculator and the correct bearing will be selected.
Readers can watch a short video of the bearing tests at: http://www.igus.co.uk/bearingstestlab