iglide® composite bearings & plastic bushings

iglide® composite plain bearings are composed of a blend of three different materials: base polymers, which are responsible for making the bearing resistant to wear, fibers and filaments that allow for high forces and edge loading onto the bearing, and solid lubricants to independently lubricate the bearing and prevent friction. It’s this unique blend that makes iglide® composite bearings universally applicable and advantageous over metal plain bearings.

Thanks to the composite material used in iglide® plain bearings, they are self-lubricating and maintenance-free, cutting down on both the time and money spent lubricating and maintaining metal plain bearings. There are also over 55 different material types available in our iglide® product line, allowing for use in a wide variety of applications. Whether your application requires resistance to heat or chemicals, compliance with FDA guidelines, or even underwater use, iglide® bearings are up to the task.

The high-performance plastics used in our iglide® composite plain bearings are extensively tested for wear and friction coefficients in our test laboratory in Cologne, Germany. Our online service life calculator employs data from a yearly database of 10,000 tests performed at the laboratory. This helps provide highly accurate service life predictions quickly and easily.

The iglide® expert system is able to provide a comprehensive suitability and service life analysis based on your specific requirements in just four simple steps. This analysis is applicable for all iglide® materials. Having a service life you can predict can help eliminate unplanned downtime and save on cost. Try the service life calculator here!

Test Results

Pivoting wear; p: 1 & 2 MPa; v: 0.01 m/s

In the igus® laboratories, it was determined that the increase in the coefficient of wear of the iglide® plain bearings doubled in low-load pivoting movement, but still remained significantly below the coefficient of wear of the sintered bushings.

The wear comparison was carried out under the following test parameters:

Load: 1 & 2 MPa

Speed: 0,01 m/s

Shaft: Cf53 and V2A

Plain bearing materials: iglide® J and iglide® L280

iglide® replaces metal composite bearings

iglide® Composite Bearings in Various Industries

Automotive

Plain bearings and cable carriers are some of the many products igus® offers for the automotive industry. Whether it be onboard bearings and linear systems, onboard cable carriers, or robotics for automotive production, there are countless opportunities for increased safety and efficiency in automotive vehicles.

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Laboratory/Medical

Components used in laboratory and medical settings should be dry-running, cleanroom-compatible, and resistant to corrosion and media, among other things. igus® offers numerous solutions for medical applications, such as plain bearings, linear systems, cable carriers, and more.

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Bicycle

The ability to withstand impact and shock loads is one of the most important characteristics that bicycle components must have. With mountain bikes, the stakes are even higher because the parts should also be resistant to dust, dirt, and debris, which they will be significantly exposed to constantly. Plain bearings and spherical bearings from igus® fulfill all of the above requirements and more.

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Agriculture

Within agricultural machinery, components need to be able to absorb high shock and impact loads, as well as be resistant to dirt, chemicals, and corrosion, all of which they will be exposed to routinely. igus® plain bearings, shafting, linear components, and cable carriers are all ideal solutions for various types of agricultural machines.

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Construction Machinery

Construction machinery components should be able to resist all the characteristics of harsh environments: high edge loads, high surface pressures, dirt, dust, corrosion, etc. igus® offers many solutions that fulfill all of the above requirements, including plain bearings, shafting, cable carriers, cables, and more.

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Fluid Technology

The fluid technology industry, consisting of HVAC, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic systems, relies on components with resistance to wear, chemicals, and temperature. Plain bearings and other products from igus® possess all of the above qualities, and are also dry-running and maintenance-free, making them ideal for fluid technology.

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Browse our Most Popular Composite Bearings

Flange bearings

Plain bearing within mountable housing unit
Always self-lubricating & grease free
Resistant to dust and dirt
Can handle medium to high loads

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Sleeve bearings

Facilitates linear motion between moving parts
Better wear rates with thinner walls
Always self-lubricating & grease-free
Resistant to dirt & dust

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Thrust washers

Keeps rotating components in place
Always self-lubricating & grease-free
Resistant to dirt & dust
Cost-effective

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Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Service

Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing Service

FDM, SLS, DLP and print2mold® methods
3D printing materials and printing services
Fast delivery and online CAD configuration

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Subtractive Manufacturing and Machining Services

Uses high-performance bar stock
Wear-resistant and maintenance-free
Resists dirt, dust, corrosion & humidity

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Injection Molding

Maintenance-free, longer service life
Up to 70% faster than comparable methods
55 choices of material available

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Browse Additional Composite Bearings

Two-bolt flange bearings

Secure with support for perpendicular shafts
Always self-lubricating & grease-free
Resistant to dust and dirt
Can handle medium to high loads

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Clip bearings (no min order quantity)

Designed for fitting shafts through sheet metal.
Bearings have flanges located on both ends.
The bearings are secured in the sheet metal plate on both sides after fitting

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Piston rings

Easy to install
Cost-effective
More wear-resistant than PTFE-strips
Higher load capacity

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Gears and Gear Racks

Bevel, spur and gear racks
Various shaft hubs- round, d cut, feather key
Various custom options- injection molded, 3D SLS printed & mechanically manufactured from barstock

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