Plastics for Friction and Wear Applications
Low-friction, long-wearing plastic materials perform well in bearing applications
A number of different plastics generally perform well in friction and wear applications, and are often used in bearings, bushings, gears, and chain guides. These materials include:
- UHMW
- Nylon
- Acetal
- PET (semicrystalline)
- PBT
- PPS
- PEEK
- DuPont™ Vespel®
Low-friction additives such as PTFE, oil, carbon fiber, and graphite powder can also significantly improve the wear performance of these polymers under certain conditions. It’s important to recognize that wear is a complex behavior that may include adhesion, abrasion, erosion and/or fatigue. A particular plastic may have excellent wear characteristics under one set of conditions, and poor wear behavior under other conditions.
In our article How to Select the Best Plastic for Friction and Wear Challenges, learn how to choose the best plastic for your application with a step-by-step selection process and key factors to consider.
Sliding wear against mating metal parts
Plastics such as Wear in gritty, abrasive conditions
Some wear environments include abrasive particles coming into contact with the plastic wear surface. Examples include bulk material handling applications (such as hoppers and conveyor lines) where sand, sugar, coal or other abrasive materials are moved throughout a production process. Gritty particles can also accelerate wear in sliding applications if dirt, sawdust, or other contaminants are present. Particle abrasion presents a special challenge for machinery designers since plastic materials that wear well in “clean” bearing conditions may exhibit excessive wear in these abrasive environments.Wear in extreme temperature environments
High temperature wear applications require polymers that maintain a significant portion of their room-temperature mechanical properties when exposed to elevated temperatures. It is also important that a high temperature plastic wear material have a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, particularly if the polymer is to be used in direct contact with mating metal parts.Not sure which materials best fit your needs?
Our experienced sales and technical teams are available to assist you with material selection challenges.
FAQS
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Are there any friction and wear plastics that function well in vacuum environments?
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Related Materials
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-21
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-21 is a graphite-enhanced grade with low-friction properties.
PEEK
Strong, stiff plastic with outstanding chemical resistance; performs over a wide range of temperatures.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-21
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-21 is a graphite-enhanced grade with low-friction properties.
PEEK
Strong, stiff plastic with outstanding chemical resistance; performs over a wide range of temperatures.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.
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