Bearings are rigorously tested within the iglide® test laboratory

Within our 41,000 square-foot laboratory, more than 135 trillion test movements are executed each year. We test and develop our bearing materials and technology under real-life conditions with the goal of providing you with the best solution for your application. As new requirements arise, igus® develops new polymer materials that solve many application problems in bearing tribology. Base polymers, solid lubricants and reinforcing materials are combined to achieve the perfect bearing properties. Our rigorous tests focus on push/pull forces, coefficients of friction, wear, abrasion and driving forces at various speeds and loads.

What is tested and why?

In the iglide and igubal test area, bearings and materials are tested for stress, wear and friction properties. Other parameters such as high and low temperatures, high loads and speed are adjusted according to the test. In the test laboratory, there are around 50 test facilities, where more than 300 tests are carried out in parallel. At the same time, we perform around 11,300 tribological examinations each year on approximately 250 newly developed polymer compounds. To ensure that the new formulations prove their worth in later use, they are exposed not only to external influences, but also to different movement directions and loads - rotating, pivoting, linear motion and tumbling.

In addition, we test our components for effects in the event of dirt, very different weather conditions and even with shock and impacts. The results of our tests are stored in databases and incorporated into the online tools.

Browse tests performed in the test lab

Rotation wear

Test: Rotating wear rate
Load per bearing point between 100 N and 1000 N
Surface speed between 100 and 1300rpm
Available shaft diameters: 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20mm
Tests at room temperature and up to 150°C
Underwater tests

Linear short-stroke wear

Test of linear wear rate
Load per bearing point between 10 N and 200 N
Surface speed between 0.1m/s and 0.3m/s
Tests at room temperature and up to 150°C
Available shaft diameter 10mm
Stroke length: 5mm

Pivoting wear

Test of pivoting wear rate
Load per bearing point between 25 N and 300 N
Surface speed of 0.01m/s (with 10mm shaft diameter)
Pivot angle of 60°
Available shaft diameter: 10mm
Tests at room temperature

Coefficient of friction

Test for rotating coefficient of friction
Load per bearing point between 10 N and 300 N
Surface speed between 200 and 2,000rpm (speed depends on the shaft diameter)
Available shaft diameters: 6 to 20mm
Tests at room temperature
Tests at room temperature and up to 150°C

Linear technology tests under water

Test of pivoting wear rate
Load up to 100 N
Surface speed of 0.01m/s
Tests at room temperature
Available shaft diameter: 10mm

Rotation test rig under water

Test for rotating wear rate
Load between 10 N and 100 N
Surface speed between 0.01m/s and 0.3m/s
Test at room temperature
Available shaft diameter: 10mm

Edge load test

Test for wear, tumbling
Load between 30 kN and 230 kN
Surface speed of 0.01m/s
Tests at room temperature
Available shaft diameter: 40mm

Linear film test rig

Test for linear wear rate
Load between 10 N and 60 N
Surface speed between 0.01m/s and 0.15m/s
Test at room temperature
Pin diameter 4mm and 10mm

Heavy duty rotation

Test for rotating wear rate
Load between 4.000 N and 52.000 N
Surface speed up to 0.01m/s
Test at room temperature
Available shaft diameter 20mm

Tumble test rig

Test for wear rolling, tumbling
Tests with solid plastic roller, knife edge roller, bushed steel roller ...
Load between 10 N and 600 N
Surface speed between 0.15m/s and 1m/s
Test at room temperature
Shaft diameter from 6mm to 20mm

Individual test rigs

Individual test rigs are also implemented in our test laboratory in order to simulate your application as accurately as possible. Plain bearings, self-aligning bearings, ball bearings and slewing ring bearings are tested here to find the perfect solution for you in our range.

Online Tools and Configurators

The further use of the results from the product and material tests is varied. The data is used for new and further development, and is also used to determine the appropriate components for the specific application. Anyone who is interested, can use the online tools of the numerous product areas free of charge. Each product area has its own tools, such as the expert system, which compares products according to the requirements, such as high compressive strength or radial forces and calculates their service life.

Simply click the button below and navigate to the "Bearing online tools" tab to use our tools and configurators.

Selected tests from the igus test lab

We thoroughly test our plain bearings whether it is for service life or coefficient of friction. In addition to numerous product and material tests, we also examine individual customer applications. To give you an idea, we have compiled a selection of tests below:

What else is tested in the test laboratory?

In the igus® test laboratory, not only iglide® plain bearings are examined. e-chains®, chainflex® cables, drylin® linear plain bearings and axes, lead screw systems and robolink® components are put to the test. View the other test labs below.

View the entire test lab

Discuss your project with a bearings expert

Whether you're interested in turnkey, fully assembled solutions or looking to build your own customizable project, learn more about how igus® can assist you with a solution based on your specific application and requirements. Contact us via the form below or call us at (800) 521-2747 to discuss your project today!

Contact an Expert