Fluoropolymers have been used as bearing materials for over 50 years. Since its discovery in 1938, Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene has continuously been developed and improved. The addition of appropriate fillers gives the material specific properties which alter its strength and coefficient of friction and enable it to perform a large variety of tasks. Tape bearings modified this way (a blank of PTFE tape formed under temperature) are the origin of our bearings program.
Maintenance-free, wear resistant NORGLIDE® bearings are used for automotive and other industrial applications.
Compounds
Pure (virgin) PTFE is a soft, electrically insulating material with the lowest coefficient of friction of all known solid materials.
With the addition of fillers, properties like creep, or electrical conductivity can be optimized while maintaining the excellent sliding characteristics of PTFE.
| Glass fiber / graphite compound | Glass fibers increase the load carrying capability and reduce wear and creep. Graphite minimizes initial wear. |
| Carbon / graphite compound | Carbon assumes a similar function as glass fibers, but is less abrasive on the mating contact surface. |
| EKONOL® compound | EKONOL® is a special aromatic polyester which improves the wear resistance and lowers the coefficient of friction. This compound is recommended for high-speed sliding operations and soft mating surfaces. |
| Electrically conductive compounds | With the addition of selected fillers, we can tailor the electrical conductivity of the bearing. The total electrical resistance depends on the contact surface between the bearing and shaft, size, active surface load and the material thickness.
Electrically conductive bearings are used for electrostatic discharge, not for conducting electrical current. They are most valuable in the cathodic dip-coating of assemblies. |
| Non-conductive compounds | Electrically non-conductive bearings reduce paint build-up on the bearing surfaces and help improve paint quality. |
Note: NORGLIDE® bearings, formerly known as NORTON® bearings and bushings.