xiros® polymer ball bearings: applications, development and tests

The range of xiros polymer ball bearings includes a wide array of product versions. All of these share one common feature: they do not require any additional lubrication. This results in considerable advantages as, whatever the application, no lubricants pollute the environment, are washed out or decompose due to external influences.
 
Further advantages, depending on the design, are:
 

• Maintenance-free
• Lightweight
• Non-metallic (due to the use of glass and polymer balls)
• Non-magnetic
• Chemical resistance
• Corrosion-resistant
• Electrically insulating
• FDA-compliant
• Predictable service life

The previously mentioned predictability of xiros polymer ball bearings is one of the most important advantages. On the basis of the results of many wear tests, the user can calculate the service life of the xiros polymer ball bearings reliably and design the application accordingly.

Application areas

In contrast to metal ball bearings, xiros polymer ball bearings can be used completely without lubrication. This makes them suitable for a variety of special applications where, unlike with permanently lubricated metallic ball bearings, it is not the highest speeds or loads that matter, but lubricant-free operation. Examples include applications in the food, packaging, medical technology and textile industries as well as in the chemical industry, cleanrooms, the electronics industry and the office equipment sector. Further uses also result from the absence of metals and the non-magnetic design. These factors are particularly useful for applications in the fields of medical and measuring technology.

Development and tests

Due to numerous tests and new materials developed, the materials of the ring have been improved continually. The polymers we have developed for use with ball bearings allow higher speeds, greater loads, and longer service life. But our development work continues; we believe that polymer ball bearing technology will continue to make progress and, given our testing capabilities and our many years of experience in the development of tribologically optimised polymer materials, we feel that there is still a great deal that can be done in this field. Due to our special compounds and injection moulding manufacturing process, we can guarantee a considerably longer service life for your application than the counterparts of competitors.
 
xiros polymer ball bearings are tested for service life and wear in the igus test laboratory. In addition to the actual material comparison, tests indicate these experiments also answer questions about the impact of external influences such as temperature, humidity or dust.

Comparison with competitors' products: igus vs. material counterparts of competitors

Through numerous tests the ring materials were optimised. As a result, it has been possible to develop polymer bearings that permit higher speeds and greater loads, and result in a longer service life. But the development continues, we believe that polymer ball bearing technology will continue to advance, especially with our experience and development with tribological polymer materials. Challenge us, talk to us about your applications, tell us what you need from a polymer ball bearing.
 
In the igus test laboratory, xiros polymer ball bearings are tested for service life and wear. In addition to the actual material comparison, tests indicate these experiments also answer questions about the impact of external influences such as temperature, humidity or dust.

The combinations of materials for rings, balls and cages are tried out in diverse loading and speed tests performed in the igus test laboratory. This enables the application-specific selection of a suitable bearing and an estimation of the service life.