All You Need To Know About Polymer Bearings And Their Applications

Equipment maintenance is expensive, and machines break down due to small parts known as bearings. High friction, rust, poor lubrication, and lack of regular maintenance lower the performance of equipment. Better solutions to these problems can be achieved with Polymer bearings.

Polymer bearings maintain better service performance than metal bearings because they are easy to maintain and have high resistance to wear. Machinery made and sold by a reputable bearing manufacturing company becomes even easier to operate, and maintenance is required less frequently.

According to Grand View Research, the global market size is estimated to grow to USD 301.3 billion by 2033. Growing demand for maintenance-free and corrosion-resistant components is driving rapid adoption of polymer bearings across manufacturing industries. This blog discusses all you need to know about polymer bearings and their applications.  

What Are Polymer Bearings?

Polymer bearings are made from modern engineering plastics instead of traditional metals such as bronze or steel. They minimize friction and are designed to run without constant lubrication. 

Because of the use of modern engineering-plastic technology, plastic bearings can perform under more industrial conditions. They can function in the presence of moisture, dust, chemicals, and other conditions that would deteriorate metal bearings.

The performance of polymer bearings depends mostly on the quality of the polymer bearing materials.

PTFE-filled polymer bearings can reduce friction significantly in applications where conventional lubrication is impractical. 

Why do companies choose polymer bearings over metal bearings?

In many industries, polymer bearings have advantages over metal bearings.

Corrosion Resistance

Polymer bearings overcome the corrosion problems of metal bearings. Therefore, polymer bearings can be used in harsh environmental conditions and chemical processing that would corrode metal bearings.

Low Maintenance

Many polymer bearings do not require additional means of lubrication. This means they have a low ongoing cost and low maintenance.

Lightweight Design

Polymer bearings are lighter than both metal and steel bearings. Lighter-weight polymer bearings eliminate some of the weight of the machine and also reduce the effort needed to operate the machine.

Longer Equipment Life and Quieter Operation

Lower friction also means lower wear on shafts and other machine parts. Low friction also means less vibration during operation and less noise.

Polymer Bearing Types

Different types of bearing designs exist depending on the environment of operation. An understanding of bearing selection enables the design of the optimum solution.

Polymer Ball Bearings

Polymer ball bearings have advanced rolling elements and use plastic races. Smoother, more consistent rotation is achieved. Polymer ball bearings are used in applications such as food processing equipment and packaging machines, lab equipment, scientific equipment, and medical equipment because of the excellent corrosion resistance of plastics and low lubrication requirements.

Polymer Linear Bearings

Polymer linear bearings allow designers to create automation tools and machines faster. Virtually all packaging and textile machines, CNC machines, and even robotic machines make use of their high accuracy and smooth motion. Maintenance costs and friction are low both during operation and over the life of the linear bearing because polymer linear bearings have a low coefficient of friction.

Plain Polymer Bearings

Plain polymer bearings help resolve issues in systems with rotational movement and provide outstanding wear resistance in any load case. Machinery in larger machines used in construction, agriculture, and heavy industry are all fitted with these components, as well as many of the parts in vehicles.

Understanding High-Impact Polymer Bearing Material

Innovation has given manufacturers greater control and freedom to design products by incorporating high-impact bearing materials and thermoplastics.

High-impact bearing materials are engineered with the flexibility of thermoplastics. Designs are engineered toward specific application purposes.

Engineered thermoplastics allow easy reprocessing of materials and are therefore ideal for applications that require easy accommodation of design changes.

Some of the most commonly used materials include:

• Acetals are high-precision engineering materials.

• Polyamides are more often used in industrial applications generally.

• PTFE composites exhibit ultra-low friction and high performance.

• For ultra-high load and ultra-high temperature applications, PEEK is used.

• High wear resistance and ultra-low friction are provided by UHMWPE.

PEEK bearings allow for continuous operation at temperatures above 250°C; therefore, they can be used in aerospace and other applications of higher-temperature industrial machinery.

The working conditions define the upper limit of performance of these materials.

What Is a Polymer Bearing Cage?

An internal part that houses rolling elements is known as a polymer bearing cage. Compared to metal cages, there are numerous advantages to polymer cages.

Most importantly to many end users, they greatly minimize friction, improve lubrication, and lower operational noise. These polymer cage bearings also offer higher wear resistance and reduced bearing weight. The polymer bearing cage also provides greater efficiency at high speeds. 

Polymer cages also help increase bearing life while supporting smoother, more reliable machine operation.

Applications of Polymer Bearings

Polymer bearings are prevalent in multiple industries because they address the defects of metal bearings in certain difficult environments. Some of them include:

Pharmaceutical Industry

Precision and cleanliness are extremely important in medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and both benefit from the smooth operation provided by Polymer bearings that do not require frequent lubrication.

Food Processing

Polymer bearings support equipment in food processing. Food processing equipment is designed to be washed regularly and resist corrosion.

Polymer bearings resist washdown and contamination, which helps reduce equipment corrosion. Unlike traditional metal bearings, polymer bearings naturally resist corrosion. These bearings help equipment maintain an established level of sanitation.

Chemical Processing Plants

Machinery used in chemical plants is regularly exposed to aggressive chemicals that can quickly damage metal components. With polymer bearings possessing chemical resistance and dependable performance in harsh conditions, it is no wonder why manufacturers everywhere rely on them.

Packaging Machinery

Packaging machines and equipment operate at extremely high speeds.

Polymer bearings aid in reducing friction to almost none and overall increase the efficiency of the machine, hence cutting down on process maintenance stops.

Agriculture Industry

Farming equipment is used in filthy, dusty, and wet conditions. Polymer bearings are resistant to moisture and corrosion and need little to no maintenance.

Automotive Applications

Polymer bearings are used in automotive seat and steering systems, as well as in other interior systems and lightweight components. Automotive manufacturers use polymer bearings to increase efficiency and reduce vehicle weight.

Heavy Material Handling 

Polymer bearings provide smooth movement and reliable performance during continuous operation of conveyors, lifting systems, and automated warehouse systems.

Polymer Bearings Versus Metal Bearings

Although polymer and metal bearings serve the same function, performance can be highly affected by the surrounding environment. Generally, polymer bearings demand less maintenance and run more quietly and efficiently than metal bearings. Polymer bearings are lighter.

In practical applications involving harsh conditions such as chemical exposure, moisture, frequent cleaning, or a high degree of hygiene, polymer bearings are a preferable bearing solution. Metal bearings are the solution of choice for extremely high loads or high temperatures. 

Selecting the right bearing depends on various factors such as speed, load capacity, operating conditions, and environmental exposure. 

Selecting The Most Appropriate Polymer Bearing System

The first parameter to consider when selecting a polymer bearing system is the operating and environmental conditions. Factors may include: 

• Type of shaft material.

• Level of shaft maintenance desired.

• Service life required.

• Humidity level.

• Load level.

• Temperature range. 

• Exposure to chemicals.

• Rate of rotation.

Working with a competent engineering team helps to determine the best selection for each application. 

Increase The Application Performance By Suitable Polymer Bearing Selection

Modern machinery should have components designed to run for long periods with minimal scheduled maintenance. Polymer bearings operate with low sound levels, resist corrosion, and have excellent wear resistance. 

Whether your application requires polymer linear bearings, polymer ball bearings, or advanced polymer bearing material, choosing the perfect product can make a huge difference. 

Working with a dependable bearing manufacturing company with a detailed bearing manufacturing process provides access to advanced engineering solutions, resulting in trusted machine performance, dependable product quality, and sustained business success.