Why do plastic bearings outperform metal bearings

Why do plastic bearings outperform metal bearings?

1 Plastic bearing development prospects

At present, most of the equipment customers in fact, when choosing bearings for the equipment, or in plastic and metal bearings between the entanglement. After all, in the plastic bearings have not been produced, metal bearings have been the traditional choice of material, all many people are still not willing to give up the choice of metal materials. But so far, the performance of plastic bearings is getting better and better in the future.

2 Plastic bearing materials and their advantages

Plastic is actually lower production costs compared to metal bearings, and the growing variety of plastic materials, used in many industries, the most common plastic materials are nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene and PEEK.

Plastic bearings are versatile, economical and clean. There are many low-cost materials available for a variety of applications. Plastic bearings are typically made from thermoplastic alloys with a fibre matrix and solid lubricant, providing excellent strength and a consistently low coefficient of friction.

3 What are the good properties of plastic bearings?

(1) Self-lubrication

Plastic, by its very nature, lubricates the bearing, reducing start-up delays and keeping the area clean. The tiny bits of the bearing wear and act to lubricate the bearing at the outset, but the change in the bearing itself is negligible. This also makes plastic bearings better suited for food applications, as the FDA severely restricts the use of lubricants in food production machinery. Additionally, while dust and other particles can stick to the lubricant and form a layer of dirt, with plastic bearings, any particles simply embed themselves in the bearing and do not affect performance.

(2) Operation at Low High Temperatures

Plastic bearings can operate continuously at any temperature between -4°C and 260°C and can withstand peak temperatures up to 600°F. Plastic bushings can be as strong as metal bushings, but with thinner walls, typically 0.0468"-0.0625" thick. Thinner walls are better at dissipating heat, which leads to a greater operating range and less wear. Additionally, the thinner walls are lighter and less likely to deform, making them suitable for applications where weight is an issue.

(3) Environmental performance

Plastic bearings are more fuel efficient due to their light weight. Plastic bearings do not require additional coatings or additives to produce the same results as metal parts that are often supplemented with harmful elements. In addition, plastic production requires only about 10-15% more oil than the same amount of aluminium or steel.

(4) Good chemical resistance

Plastic bearings are usually more resistant than metal bearings to a variety of chemicals and substances, resisting the scoring and wear that occurs with metal bearings. This helps to maintain their low coefficient of friction for smooth movement with minimal interference.

(5) Maintenance-free bearings

By choosing the right plastic according to the environment in which it will be used, the bearings can be made to resist corrosion over time. Once installed, plastic bearings have a long life and do not need to be replaced. Corrosion can cause metal bearings to freeze in place, and if they are not cut out, they are almost impossible to remove. Plastic bearings are easy to remove.

(6) Low price of plastics

Many plastics are cheaper than metals. So plastic bearings and plastic bushings can reduce costs by as much as 25%.

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