Characteristics, Benefits, & Applications of Plastic Molded Bearings and Bushings

Plastic bearings and bushings were developed especially for the food and dairy processing industry. Today, they can be found in various industrial applications. They are generally produced through the injection molding process. They are suitable in applications where metal bearings exhibit certain shortcomings.

Characteristics of Plastic Molded Bearings and Bushings

The following characteristics of plastic molded bearings are particularly useful where traditional metal bearings limit performance:

• Versatile thermoplastic bearings and bushings can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes to meet specific requirements.
• Specific materials can also be chosen to withstand different speeds, loads, and environmental conditions.
• Plastic molded bearings made of semi-crystalline materials can withstand strain, have higher yield stress, and resist abrasion and chemicals.
• They offer varied design possibilities compared to traditional multicomponent steel bearings.
• They are non-magnetic, which makes them more suitable than metal bearings for applications that use magnetic resonance. Examples of such applications can include MRI scanners and bank card readers.

Benefits of Plastic Molded Bearings and Bushings

Steel bearings can generate static electricity and electric shock in certain applications, which can damage the electronic components. Contrary to that, thermoplastics are insulators. They have high resistivity, and exhibit antistatic properties. This allows plastic molded bearings to suppress initial charge buildups, and diminish the charge generated by movement. Other advantages of plastic molded bearings and bushings include:

• They offer an extremely durable and cost efficient solution.
• Plastic bearings and bushings weigh much less than their metal counterparts.
• They are less chemically reactive, and more resistant to corrosion than metal bearings and bushings.
• They are greaseless, thus they help maintain a hygienic operational environment for food processing applications.
• They require less or no maintenance compared to metal bearings and bushings, which helps reduce the maintenance downtime.

Applications of Plastic Bearings and Bushings

Thermoplastic bearings are used in various industrial applications, such as:

• Automotive: For decreasing weight and increasing vehicle performance, and fuel efficiency.
• Water Applications: In dishwashers, pool cleaners, spa jets, and shower enclosures.
• Business Machines: Antistatic plastic bearings in ATMs use plastic bearings to move cash at high speeds, and protect electronic circuits.
• Food and Poultry Processing: In chain-driven conveyor systems that require resistance to acids, water, and alkalis.

If you have applications that require this product, or if it can be improved with plastic bearings and bushings, contact a manufacturer today.