Why plastic bearings perform better than metal bearings?

1. Development prospects of plastic bearings

At present, most equipment customers still struggle between plastic and metal bearings when choosing bearings for their equipment. After all, before plastic bearings were produced, metal bearings had always been the traditional material choice, so many people were still unwilling to give up choosing metal materials. But so far, the performance of plastic bearings will become better and better in the future.

2. Plastic bearing materials and their advantages

In fact, the production cost of plastic is lower than that of metal bearings, and the types of plastic materials are increasingly abundant. They are used in many industries. The most common plastic materials are nylon, PTFE, 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 fiber 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-lubricating property

The plastic's inherent properties will lubricate the bearings, reducing startup delays and keeping the area clean. The bearing's tiny bits wear out initially and serve to lubricate the bearing, but the bearing itself changes negligibly. This also makes plastic bearings more suitable for food applications, since the FDA strictly limits the use of lubricants in food production machinery. Additionally, while dust and other particles can stick to the lubricant and form a layer of grime, with plastic bearings any particles will simply become embedded in the bearing and will not affect performance.

(2) Operation at low and high temperatures

Plastic bearings can operate continuously at any temperature between -4℃ and 260℃, and can withstand peak temperatures up to 600℉. Plastic bushings can be just as strong as metal bushings, but have thinner walls, typically 0.0468"-0.0625" thick. Thinner walls are better at dissipating heat, resulting in greater operating range and reduced wear. Additionally, thin walls are lighter and less likely to deform, making them suitable for applications where weight is an issue.

(3) Environmental performance

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

(4) Good chemical resistance

Plastic bearings are generally more resistant than metal bearings to various chemicals and substances, and resist the scratches and wear that occur with metal bearings. This helps keep their coefficient of friction low, moving smoothly with minimal disturbance.

(5) Maintenance-free bearings

By choosing the right plastic for the environment in which it will be used, the bearing will resist corrosion over time. Once installed, the plastic bearings have a long service life and do not need to be replaced. Corrosion can cause metal bearings to freeze in place, making them nearly impossible to remove without cutting them away. Plastic bearings are easy to remove.

(6) Plastic prices are low

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