iglide® plastic bushings - Wear resistance

Wear resistance
Wear is an important measure when it comes to all kinds of machine components. For given loads and surface speeds, an iglide® plastic bushing's wear resistance alone can vary by a factor of 10 depending on the material pairing.

Wear and load
Different loads can greatly influence the wear rate of iglide® plastic bushings. With hardened, smoothed shafts, iglide® J is the most wear-resistant bearing material for low loads. iglide® Q, on the other hand, is more suitable for extreme loads.

Wear and temperature
The wear resistance of iglide® plastic bushings varies little over a wide temperature range. However, in the maximum temperature range, the wear rate increases exponentially.

Table 1.8 compares the 'wear limits'.

One notable exception is iglide® T500. The wear resistance of these bushings actually increases with higher temperatures and reaches its optimum wear resistance at 320° F. Wear resistance then decreases again, gradually.

Wear during abrasive dirt accumulation

Wear issues can occur if abrasive dirt particles get into bearings. iglide® plastic bushings offer a clear advantage in this area. Not only do they offer high wear resistance and oil-free operation, but also an extremely long service life. No oil or grease on the bearing means dirt particles can not penetrate as easily. If a hard particle does penetrate, an iglide® plastic bushing can absorb this particle. The foreign body becomes embedded into the bearing wall. Up to a certain point, operation can be maintained at optimal levels even when there is extreme dirt accumulation.

It is not only hard particles that damage bearings and shafts, but also soft dirt particles - for instance, textile or paper fibers - that are frequently the cause for increased wear. In these instances, the dry-running capability and dust resistance of iglide® plastic bushings are put to good use. In the past, they have been able to save costs in numerous applications.