How to select materials for self lubricating plastic bearings

self lubricating plastic bearings possess excellent self-lubricating properties, wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, and special anti-galling properties, allowing them to function normally even under poor lubrication conditions. Therefore, they are widely used as plastic bearing materials, replacing metal materials. The advantages of engineering plastics replacing metal as bearing materials include: low coefficient of friction, high wear resistance, and self-lubricating properties; good corrosion resistance, allowing operation under harsh lubrication conditions, and noise reduction; saving on bronze and other metal materials; and high production efficiency.

Materials Selection for self lubricating plastic bearings

The materials used in self-lubricating plastic bearings should primarily be selected based on the wear characteristics, friction characteristics, and PV limit values ​​of various plastics.

1.1 Wear Characteristics of Plastics
Wear is the destructive result of friction on the surface of a material. Its forms include adhesive wear, ploughing wear, and deformation wear. The wear characteristics of plastics depend on the load, sliding speed, ambient temperature, the properties, hardness, and surface finish of the materials being worn.

1.2 Friction Characteristics of Plastics
Friction is a force that prevents relative motion between contacting objects. Plastic sliding friction is a composite effect of several factors: adhesion between planes (also known as adhesive friction), cutting and plowing friction from abrasive or hard surfaces (also known as plowing friction), and deformation friction from rough surfaces (also known as deformation friction). The frictional characteristics of plastics are primarily characterized by the coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction decreases with increasing load and increases with increasing sliding speed.

1.3 PV Limit of Plastic Bearings The PV value is the product of speed and load, and is an important indicator for evaluating the performance of polymer engineering plastic bearings. The PV value is significant for design, representing the upper limit of the bearing. Speed ​​and load are actually converted into heat energy through frictional work, leading to softening, melting, and carbonization of the polymer material. The PV value of plastic bearings varies with sliding speed; as V gradually increases, the PV value decreases. However, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a special case. Due to its extremely low coefficient of friction and low load-bearing capacity, it is not sensitive to changes in sliding speed; therefore, within a certain range, the PV value increases with increasing sliding speed.

self lubricating plastic bearings possess excellent mechanical, chemical, tribological, and wear-resistant properties. They also exhibit corrosion resistance, oil-free or low-oil lubrication, and environmental protection. Their development has been rapid and their applications widespread abroad. Currently, they are used domestically in automotive, aerospace, electronics, precision instruments, hydraulic engineering, mining, and other equipment, achieving significant economic benefits. This product has great development potential and application value, and its research and development should be accelerated.

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