Nano Compounds Boost Bearing Performance

igus Inc.'s iglide^(R)X6 bearings are made of an advanced polymer material using nano-sized particles. Use of nanotechnology improves the lifetime of its high-performance plastic plain bearing predecessors by a factor of six, according to igus Inc. of East Providence, RI. Even for temperatures above 212F, iglide X6 is said to achieve the best wear resistance in applications with rotating or oscillating movements and can be used in a wide range of industries ranging from medical, packaging and pharmaceutical, to automation or recreational vehicles. Continuous use in temperatures up to 482F is also possible.

The technology is also significant because iglide X6 bearings are said to have improved heat relaxation. From a design engineer's perspective, this means the press fit of the bearings is improved by up to 50 percent. In addition, iglide X6 delivers superior performance in temperature-, pressure- and chemical-critical applications and requires no lubrication or maintenance.

Nano technology was used to optimize the new X6 material. In this area, surface properties play an increasingly important role compared with the material volume properties. In nano technology, the size of the object determines properties. These are referred to as "size-induced functionalities." The specific polymer and nano technology used is proprietary.