Polymer ball bearings

Polymer ball bearings consist of

• polymer rings
• balls made of stainless steel, glass, polymer or other materials
• a polymer cage.

Polymer ball bearings can be made from a variety of materials and material combinations. The materials selected depend on the application. Polymers have significantly different properties than steel. One of the most unique properties is that they are corrosion and chemical resistant.

The polymers used to make bearings have a low coefficient of friction and are highly resistant to wear and fatigue. These self-lubricating bearings can run dry and require no relubricant.

However, the loads and maximum speeds that a polymer bearing can accommodate are much lower than for conventional all-steel bearings.

The high specific strength � (strength to weight ratio) is a valuable property of polymer bearings, especially in applications where weight is an important design consideration. High dimensional stability throughout the lifespan is achieved by the low creep tendency of the polymers used.

Features and benefits

• Corrosion resistant
• Chemical resistant
• Self-lubricating (no lubricant required)
• Light weight (80% less than steel)
• Some have high temperature usage
• Low coefficient of friction
• Quiet running
• Good damping properties
• Electrical insulator
• Integrated functions for special bearings
• Low lifecycle costs