Igus Inc. has developed a new bearing specially made for rugged operating conditions typical of construction equipment and agricultural machines. The heavy-duty iglidur TX1 plain bearing is built to handle high loads, dirty conditions and temperature extremes. The TX1 is an extension of the company’s iglidur series of plain bearings, which are already used in a number of mobile applications, such as in the lifting arms of front-end loaders.
The TX1, made of a reinforced, proprietary polymer material, is particularly appropriate in designs that have heavily loaded pivoting movements with high radial loads. “With a static compressive strength of up to 200 MPa and a dynamic strength of 140 MPa, is it suited for many applications in the heaviest of machines,” explained René Achnitz, head of the iglidur plain bearings sector at igus GmbH, Cologne, Germany.
The robust bearings combine a low coefficient of friction, good wear resistance and high dimensional stability. And due to the long-fiber, wound-glass reinforcement, plain bearings made of iglidur TX1 can even absorb extreme shocks and impacts without deformation, said Achnitz.
The bearing is self-lubricating and dry running, although it works equally well when lubricating grease is used as a corrosion protection for the shaft. That makes the bearings a great alternative to metallic bearings, said Achnitz. Metal bearings also weigh more than their plastic counterparts, and they require continuous lubrication. That, in turn, leads to higher costs for maintenance and replacement parts, as well as production delays.
Standard sizes for the TX1 range from 20 to 80 mm ID (0.79 to 3.15-in.) in lengths from 20 to 100 mm (0.79 to 3.94-in.). It handles temperature extremes of -60° to 120° C (-76° to 248° F), with permissible short-term exposure to 170° C (338° F).
The material also resists most chemicals, and moisture. With maximum water absorption less than 0.1% by weight, as well as resistance to attack by seawater, the TX1 is also suited for marine applications.
igus Inc.
www.igus.com
Keyword: deep groove ball bearing