PTFE bearings

PTFE bearing: flanged bearing, cylindrical bearing, and thrust washer

High load capacity and maintenance-free

PTFE bearings are ideal for applications with high loads and moderate speeds. The distinctive feature of these plain bearings is that they are maintenance-free. PTFE bearings are produced according to ISO 3547.

PTFE bearing: flanged bearing, cylindrical bearing, and thrust washer

Advantages of PTFE bearings

Cylindrical PTFE plain bearing with steel housing

Main advantages of PTFE bearings include:

  • Self-lubricating
  • Maintenance-free
  • High load capacity
  • Low friction coefficient
  • Minimal bearing play
  • Operating temperature up to 250°C

Cylindrical PTFE plain bearing with steel housing

Applications of PTFE bearings

Glass elevator with PTFE plain bearing application

PTFE bearings are best suited to applications with high loads and requiring self-lubricating operation. Common applications are:

  • Elevators
  • Hydraulics
  • Textile machines
  • Butterfly valves
  • Consumer electronics

Glass elevator with PTFE plain bearing application

Materials

PTFE bearings are made with a steel or bronze backing as standard. A stainless steel backing is available on request. A sintered bronze layer is applied to the backing. This layer is provided with a PTFE-based self-lubricating lead-free sliding surface. The bronze intermediate layer ensures efficient heat dissipation and makes for a strong joint between the backing and the sliding surface. The steel backing has a layer of tin to prevent corrosion.

PTFE bearings cross section

Lubrication

During a short run-in period, part of the run-in layer, the PTFE mixture, is transferred to the counter-material. During the run-in period of the PTFE bearing, the bearing surface usually takes on a gray/green color. The characteristic low friction and wear values are obtained at the end of the run-in period. Adding oil or other non-corrosive fluids can enhance the bearing's performance.

Specification overview of PTFE bearings

Specification overview
PropertiesTU (Steel)TU-B (Bronze)TU-I (Stainless steel)
Max. load (Dyn/stat), N/mm2140 / 250140 / 140140 / 250
Max. sliding speed m/s2.52.52.5
Max. PV value N/mm2 x m/s1.81.81.8
Temperature range, oC-200 / +280-200 / +280-200 / +280
Shaft tolerancef7 - h8f7 - h8f7 - h8
Housing toleranceH7H7H7
Shaft roughnessRa < 0.4Ra < 0.4Ra < 0.4
Shaft hardnessHB > 200HB > 200HB > 200

Product finder plain bearings

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Find the right plain bearings for your applications with the online product finder. Enter the values for the load, speed, inner diameter and length. You immediately get an overview of the type of plain bearings that match the entered values. This way you know exactly which plain bearings are most suitable for your application.

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Tablet with THN online tool for configuring and ordering linear shafts/plain bearings/sintered filters

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Are you looking for plain bearings and do you want to contact a technical advisor? Call us on 03 72 39 51 51 or send an email to info@thn.fr. We are happy to help.

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