Plain bearings in heavy-duty applications

In comparison: lubricated metal bearings vs. self-lubricating igutex plain bearings

Heavy-duty test stand with a metal test fixture and pressure gauge in the test lab.

Test parameter

Force/load:
80MPa (12.8t on a plain bearing with Ø 40mm,
length 40mm)

Speed:
0.01m/s (30 cycles 50°/min)

Shaft:
42CroMo4+QT gas nitrocarburised with post-oxidation

Cycles:
50,000 = 1.75km running performance

Test result overview

Steel bearing 16MnCr5, hardened

Lubricated every four hours (unloaded)
Test stopped after about 10,000 cycles
Severe shaft wear

Bronze bearing

Lubricated every four hours (unloaded)
Test stopped after about 10,000 cycles
Severe shaft wear

Metal-polymer bearing

Lubricated every four hours (unloaded)
Achieved 50,000 cycles
Severe bearing and shaft wear

Shaft and igutex TX1 fiber composite bearing in test.

igus igutex TX1 plain bearing

Tested in dry operation
Achieved 50,000 cycles
Wear-resistant
Best result in the test

iglidur and igutex plain bearings in a wear test with various loads

Diagram shows wear in µm/km of plain bearings at 45 MPa for two materials and iglidur.

Diagram of plain bearing wear at 75 MPa with three materials and comparison values.

Diagram of plain bearing wear at 100 MPa with three compared material groups.

Further information about the operation of lubrication-free heavy-duty bearings

Our white papers and fact sheets inform you about a variety of topics, including corrosion, dirt and sealing, and plain bearing and locating spigot installation methods.

Brochure on lubrication-free bearing points with an igus cover and open pages about bearing materials.

Lubrication-free bearing points in construction machinery

The white paper covers the following topics, among others:

Important functions of lubrication in plain bearings
Reasons for switching to lubrication-free plain bearings
Differentiation: lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings vs. lubricated metallic bearings
How self-lubricating plain bearings work
This must be taken into account when changing to dry-running plain bearings

Download now for free (PDF)

Heavy-duty brochure

Learn more about the following topics:

Discussions with our development experts
Material overview for heavy-duty plain bearings
How iglidur and igutex materials work
Lubrication – a challenge for industry
Sustainable product developments
practical application examples

Download now for free (PDF)

igus fact sheet on anti-corrosion agent with bearings, charts and test setups.

Fact sheet - avoid reduced interference fit

The use of corrosion protection agents can reduce the interference fit of your plain bearings. Therefore, we tested a variety of such agents. This fact sheet will tell you which of them almost double the press fit.

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Factsheet on corrosion testing of gas-nitrocarburised shafts and plain bearings, with chart and samples.

Fact sheet - gas nitrocarburising

How well does gas nitrocarburising protect shafts from corrosion? In the test, various shaft materials were subjected to a salt spray test in combination with iglidur plain bearings and igutex fibre composite plain bearings. All test results can be found in the fact sheet.

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Factsheet on axial securing for cylindrical plain bearings with four variants and cross-sections.

Fact sheet - locating spigot for sleeve bearings

There are various options for the locating spigot of plain bearings. In this fact sheet, you can find out what these are and what to bear in mind.

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igus factsheet on the sealing concept with felt, with a diagram and notes on use and design.

Fact sheet - sealing concepts with felt

Find out why felt is suitable for sealing bearing points. This fact sheet also gives you important design tips for plain bearings with felt seals.

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igus factsheet on mounting igutex plain bearings with press fit, freezing and heating.

Fact sheet - Assembly of igutex plain bearings

Here you can find out everything you need to know about the assembly of our igutex fibre composite plain bearings.

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Various lubrication procedures: advantages and requirements

Lubrication-free

igus advantages

Longer service life
No failure due to insufficient lubrication
Lower shaft quality requirements
Price
No maintenance required
No lubrication system necessary (lubrication holes, grooves, or lines; grease guns; or central lubrication)
No grease released into the environment

Requirements

Corrosion-resistant shaft/housing required
Depending on operating conditions, a seal can be useful in protecting the system from massive amounts of dirt.

Initial lubrication

The grease is for the housing and shaft. The bearing doesn't need it!

igus advantages

Longer service life
No failure due to insufficient lubrication
Lower shaft quality requirements
Price
No maintenance required
(Almost) no grease released into the environment

Requirements

Cost and effort for one-time shaft and housing lubrication during installation
A seal ensures that, once introduced, the grease remains in the system throughout its operating life.

Regular lubrication

The grease is for the housing and shaft. The bearing doesn't need it!

igus advantages

Longer service life
No failure due to insufficient lubrication
Lower shaft quality requirements
Price
Extended intervals can reduce maintenance effort

Requirements

Lubrication effort
Complete lubrication system (lubrication holes, grooves, and lines; grease guns; and central lubrication)
Regular maintenance schedule (staff, lubricant provision)

Our materials for lubrication-free heavy-duty applications

iglidur materials are injection-moulded or machined from extruded bar stock. Choose from more than 8,500 catalogue dimensions or have us produce your custom design. In addition to iglidur materials for harsh environments, there are variants for high temperatures, particularly long service life and other areas of application.

iglidur Q

The peak of stability

Temperature [°C]
+135

Surface pressure [MPa]
100

Coefficient of friction [µ]
0.19

Wear [µm/km]
1.9

Find out more about iglidur Q

iglidur Q2

The durable heavy-duty bearing

Temperature [°C]
+130

Surface pressure [MPa]
120

Coefficient of friction [µ]
0.17

Wear [µm/km]
1.5

Find out more about iglidur Q2

iglidur Q3E

Two-component heavy-duty bearing

Temperature [°C]
+100

Surface pressure [MPa]
135

Coefficient of friction [µ]
0.56

Wear and tear [µm/km]
2.1

Find out more about iglidur Q3E

Materials for heavy duty applications

igutex fibre composite plain bearings were developed and optimised specifically for extreme loads. Winding technology flexibility also allows the manufacture of large diameters.

igus plain bearing bushing made of igutex with removed background.

igutex TX1

The robust all-rounder

Temperature [°C]
+120

Surface pressure [MPa]
200

Coefficient of friction [µ]
0.37

Wear [µm/km]
7

More about igutex TX1

igus igutex bushing, cut out on a white background.

igutex TX2

The specialist for hard shafts

Temperature [°C]
+130

Surface pressure [MPa]
180

Coefficient of friction [µ]
0.31

Wear [µm/km]
7

More about igutex TX2

igutex TX3

The endurance runner for extremely high loads

Temperature [°C]
+130

Surface pressure [MPa]
180

Coefficient of friction [µ]
0.28

Wear [µm/km]
2

More about igutex TX3

References

Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG

In the chassis of its track vehicles, Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG uses igutex fibre composite bearings that function reliably even in dirt.

More about the application

Tracked vehicle with a work arm lifts a platform in the snow in front of a forest.

Demarko

Demarko uses igutex fibre composite bearings in oscillating axes for semi-trailers. The bearings are part of the igus standard range and require no additional lubrication.

More about the application

Vehicle wheel with a dusty tyre sidewall on a utility vehicle.

Ship & Yacht Engineering Ltd.

The Ship & Yacht Engineering Ltd. stern gallows is suitable for a swivel load of up to 20 tons and uses igutex plain bearings in the swivel kinematics because they also work in weather and salt water.

More about the application

A-frame crane lifts heavy ship parts in the harbor.

Thaler GmbH & Co. KG

iglidur plain bearings can also be found in Thaler GmbH & Co. KG farm loaders, where they are used because the bearing points are resistant to dirt and require little maintenance.

More about the application