The Self Lubricating Effect of iglide

The most significant advantage of iglide materials is that all components - i.e., thermoplastic alloy, fiber matrix and solid lubricants - possess excellent anti-friction and low-wear properties. These three components all support the self-lubricating effect.

iglide bearings feature a crystalline, highly abrasion-resistant structure due to the thermoplastic alloys. The structure is homogeneously impregnated with solid lubricants. iglide bearings are self-lubricating without having to rely on a separate lubricating film or coating, in comparison to plain metal bearings.

The most critical moment for any bearing is the “start-up” phase. A lubricant film has not yet been formed and the bearing begins to operate dry, which is standard for most applications.

iglide bearings operate with “lubrication” from the beginning of the operation, as it is impossible for the “lubricant” to be squeezed from the surface - even when statically loaded.

As soon as the bearings operate under load, microscopic abrasion of the solid lubricant and the thermoplastic components occurs. Sufficient material is transferred to fill and smooth the profile of the shaft surface. Filled with this microscopic abrasion, the shaft provides an optimum surface for continuous low-wear and lubrication. (illustrations X and X).

Microscopic abrasion decreases rapidly following the start up phase. Tolerance modifications resulting from microscopic abrasions are essentially non-measurable. At the end of the start-up phase, the amount of the microscopic abrasions will become negligible for continuous operation. (illustration X).

The self-lubricating effect of iglide materials is clearly different from that of metallic bearings with a thin plastic coating. In the case of iglide bearings, the solid lubricants play a supportive role. The thermoplastic materials and composite fibers themselves exhibit very good tribological properties during dry operation.

In addition, the solid lubricant reduces friction, thereby further assisting the abrasion characteristics and subsequent ease of operation.

The synchronous operation of all iglide components produces a bearing ideal for linear motion. It is necessary for the iglide bearing to continually replenish the lubricant film.

Following the "start-up," the high-resistance to abrasion allows the bearing to operate for millions of cycles under continuous operation.

All Components - thermoplastic alloy, fiber matrix and solid lubricants - feature excellent slide and abrasion characteristics. All three components support the self-lubricating effect.

During the so-called "start-up" phase sufficient microscopic abrasion is produced to fill the surface profile of the shaft with microscopic abrasion particles, thereby creating an optimum surface for low-wear operation.

Following the "start-up" phase, microscopic abrasion decreases rapidly. Dimensionally these changes are nearly unmeasurable, even with linear applications.

At the end of "start-up" phase, the negligible wear rate stabilizes for continuous operation.