Dry-Running Sleeve Bearings

Plastic sleeve bearings, specifically those made from iglide® materials, offer a high strength-to-weight ratio and utilize thinner walls to maintain accuracy. Unlike metal bearings, they eliminate the need for external lubrication, reduce noise, and lower friction rates. They also cannot corrode, making them ideal for harsh or caustic environments where metal would typically fail.

iglide® bearings are manufactured from self-lubricating composite plastics. The lubrication is integrated throughout the material, so it is consistently present at the bearing surface during operation. This eliminates the need for manual greasing or oiling, reducing maintenance costs and preventing unplanned downtime.

Yes. Materials like iglide® A181 are specifically designed for contact with food. These materials are FDA-compliant and EU 10/2011 certified, ensuring they are safe for use in environments where contamination from external lubricants must be avoided.

Because iglide bearings are dry-running and do not require oil or grease, they do not attract or trap abrasive particles, which helps maximize the service life of both the bearing and the shaft.

The temperature resistance depends on the specific material selected. For extreme environments, materials like iglide® X can operate in temperatures ranging from -212°F to +482°F in continuous operation, while also offering universal resistance to chemicals.

For applications involving high loads and impact, iglide® Z is the recommended choice. It is designed to maintain excellent wear resistance even under extreme mechanical stress and high temperatures.

iglide® J is specifically noted for its vibration-damping properties. It also offers a low coefficient of friction in dry operation and provides low wear against a wide variety of different shaft materials.

All iglide® materials undergo rigorous testing in a 41,000 sq. ft. laboratory. These tests evaluate wear rates, friction, and service life under various speeds, loads, and environmental conditions to ensure they meet the technical requirements of industrial applications like agriculture, automotive, and construction.