Good for Bearings

Plastic bearing materials for friction and wear applications

Bearing grade plastics are often used for applications that require rubbing contact with mating metal surfaces, moving parts, or plastic-to-metal interfaces. UHMW, a soft and tough plastic, offers outstanding abrasion resistance. Nylon and acetal, which are stronger than UHMW, are often used for plastic bearings, bushings, wear pads, rollers, guides, and other components that require superior mechanical properties.

High performance materials such as PEEK and DuPont™ Vespel® are frequently used for applications that involve high temperatures, loads, and/or speeds. Composite materials such as CE canvas phenolic and LE linen phenolic may also be considered for bearing and wear applications where laminated thermoset materials are appropriate. Material selection should consider load, speed, temperature, mating surface, moisture exposure, friction, abrasion, and whether the part will run with limited lubrication. Use this page as a starting point to compare plastic and composite bearing materials, then review plastics for friction and wear, the plastic properties table, ask a plastics expert for help with your application, or get a quote when you are ready to discuss material availability, sizing, or fabrication needs.

Curbell Plastics can help you:

• Compare plastic and composite bearing materials for friction, wear, abrasion resistance, load, speed, and temperature.
• Evaluate material options for bearings, bushings, thrust washers, wear pads, rollers, guides, mating parts, and sliding components.
• Identify materials to consider for your application, operating conditions, part geometry, fabrication process, and documentation needs.