Another bearing first from Glacier

Citation

(2000), "Another bearing first from Glacier", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 52 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2000.01852fad.002

Another bearing first from Glacier

Another bearing first from Glacier

Keywords: Glacier, Bearings, Polymers

Glacier Industrial Bearings believes it is the first bearing manufacturer to offer high performance, multi-material injection moulded polymer bearings incorporating features such as moulded-in sealing elements, bore grooving and grease retention indentations (see Figure 1). Produced by Glacier Industrial Bearings' strategic partner L+S Kunststofftechnologie, the new bearing technology enables an optimum sliding layer material to be matched to the application with a different backing material provided for strength and dimensional stability.

Figure 1 Glacier Industrial Bearings incorporate features such as moulded-in sealing elements, bore grooving and grease retention indentations

This new technology enables sliding layers to be optimised for friction and wear without the requirement to maintain strength and stiffness as this is provided by the backing material. In addition the sliding layer need only be a thin layer allowing high performance, exotic polymers such as PBI (Polybenzimidazole), PI (Polyimide) and PAI (Polyamide-imide) to be used economically. Conventional injection moulded bearings require compromises between the bearing function and the need to maintain adequate strength and stiffness.

The backing material serves to retain the sliding layer and optional sealing elements as well as provide an interference fit in the housing. The simple sealing elements are aimed at contamination exclusion and can be moulded in a variety of materials such as thermoplastic elastomers, Viton or LSR (liquid silicone rubber). This new design eliminates the assembly of separate sealing elements and generally reduces the overall size.

This bearing technology overcomes the traditional limitations of injection moulded bearings whilst retaining all of their well known advantages such as corrosion resistance, low mass and feature integration. Features such as lubricant retention indents or grooves may be moulded into the bore. Similarly, external features such as lubrication bosses can also be included in the backing.

For many years Glacier has produced high duty bearings such as DU utilising a thin layer of polymer on a metallic backing. This latest development provides an all-polymer bearing with optimum performance.

Glacier Industrial Bearings is part of Dana Corporation, one of the world's largest independent suppliers to vehicle manufacturers and their related aftermarkets. Founded in 1904, and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana Corporation operates some 330 major facilities in 35 countries and employs more than 84,000 people. The company reported sales of $13.2 billion in 1999. Dana's Internet address is www.dana.com. For further information contact: Jan Hay, Glacier Industrial Bearings. Tel: +44 1563 539999.