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.
Sliding wear against mating metal parts
Wear in gritty, abrasive conditions
Wear in extreme temperature environments
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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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