Good for Friction and Wear
Low friction and wear resistant plastics for moving parts
Plastic materials are often selected for friction and wear applications because they can provide low coefficients of friction, good wear performance, abrasion resistance, and long service life in moving or sliding components. Common applications include bearings, bushings, wear pads, chain guides, rollers, guides, and other parts that run against mating metal surfaces or moving components.
Certain unfilled plastic materials such as nylon and acetal have low coefficients of friction and low wear rates when run against mating metal surfaces. UHMW is often used where abrasion resistance, toughness, and low friction are important. High performance materials such as PEEK and DuPont™ Vespel® may be considered for demanding applications involving elevated temperatures, higher loads, or higher speeds.
Wear behavior is very application-specific. Changes in the mating surface, applied load, sliding velocity, temperature, moisture, lubrication, or abrasive particles can greatly influence the wear performance of a plastic part. Wear performance may also be improved with additives or fillers such as PTFE, graphite, oil, or carbon fiber, depending on the material and operating conditions. For a deeper material-selection overview, review plastics for friction and wear applications, read How to Select the Best Plastic for Friction and Wear Challenges, ask a plastics expert for help with your application, or request a quote.
Curbell Plastics can help you:
- Compare low friction and wear resistant plastics for bearings, bushings, chain guides, wear pads, rollers, guides, and sliding components.
- Evaluate material options based on load, speed, temperature, mating surface, abrasion, moisture exposure, and lubrication conditions.
- Identify plastics, filled grades, or high performance materials to consider for your application, operating environment, fabrication process, and documentation needs.
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide
Extremely high temperature creep resistant plastic with excellent friction and wear characteristics.
LE Linen Phenolic
A composite sheet material that consists of electrical grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric.
Torlon® PAI
Extremely stong, stiff, dimensionally stable plastic material often used in elevated temperature environments.
PBT
Strong, stiff plastic, excellent machining characteristics, bearing and wear, and chemical resistance.
PEEK
Strong, stiff plastic with outstanding chemical resistance; performs over a wide range of temperatures.
PET
A strong, dimensionally stable plastic with outstanding chemical resistance and wear properties.
PTFE
Low friction engineering plastic with outstanding chemical, high temperature, and weathering resistance.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide
Extremely high temperature creep resistant plastic with excellent friction and wear characteristics.
LE Linen Phenolic
A composite sheet material that consists of electrical grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric.
Torlon® PAI
Extremely stong, stiff, dimensionally stable plastic material often used in elevated temperature environments.
PBT
Strong, stiff plastic, excellent machining characteristics, bearing and wear, and chemical resistance.
PEEK
Strong, stiff plastic with outstanding chemical resistance; performs over a wide range of temperatures.
PET
A strong, dimensionally stable plastic with outstanding chemical resistance and wear properties.
PTFE
Low friction engineering plastic with outstanding chemical, high temperature, and weathering resistance.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.
Not sure which materials best fit your needs?
Our experienced sales and technical teams are available to assist you with material selection challenges.
