Trelleborg Sealing Solutions (Trelleborg) has introduced its latest lightweight thermoplastic composite bearing, the HiMod Advanced Composite Bearing Plus. The new product is said to offer an enhanced dual-layer bearing with a low-friction modified PEEK layer that reduces friction and increases wear performance for use in bearing, wear ring, and bushing applications.
Manufactured using Trelleborg’s patented Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technology, a thin, low-friction liner is bonded to the inner diameters and can be added to the outer diameters of the bearing to create a high-quality solution for use in a wide range of industries, including quarrying.
Trelleborg says its HiMod Advanced Composite Bearing Plus will not seize or gall, unlike metal bearings, to reduce the likelihood of pump damage in chemical processing applications, has a low coefficient of friction, and can withstand extreme temperature ranges.
Reid Hislop, product manager at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, said: “Thermoplastic bearings offer high durability and toughness for demanding applications. The addition of a low-friction layer within our HiMod Advanced Composite Bearing Plus provides up to 50% less sliding friction than with standard bearings, to increase performance and prevent damage to hardware components.
“These unique bearings can operate from an extremely low temperature of -156 OC to +274 OC / -250 OF to +525 OF and are capable of continuous service even when wet, with nearly zero water absorption. Unlike other non-metal bearings, these do not crack or swell in extreme conditions making them a reliable choice for a wide range of applications.”
