Steel, Bronze, and POM: A Deep Dive into Sliding Washer Thrust Bearings

Thrust bearings, often known as sliding washers, are essential components in a plethora of machinery and equipment, allowing for the smooth rotation of parts and efficient load-bearing. While there are many types of thrust bearings, this post will focus on the materials used in their construction: steel, bronze, and polyoxymethylene (POM).

1. Steel Sliding Washer Thrust Bearings:

Pros:

• Strength & Durability: Steel, being an alloy primarily of iron and carbon, offers superior strength and hardness, making it a popular choice for heavy-duty applications.
• Resistance: Steel bearings are often treated to resist corrosion, making them suitable for certain outdoor or high-moisture environments.
• Cost-Effective: When produced in bulk, steel bearings can be more cost-effective than some other materials.

Cons:

• Corrosion: Untreated steel is susceptible to rust and corrosion.
• Friction: Steel-on-steel contact can result in high friction, leading to wear and requiring regular lubrication.

2. Bronze Sliding Washer Thrust Bearings:

Pros:

• Self-Lubricating: Bronze bearings can be impregnated with lubricants, making them self-lubricating and reducing maintenance requirements.
• Corrosion Resistance: Bronze inherently resists corrosion, especially when compared to untreated steel.
• Thermal Conductivity: Bronze has good thermal conductivity, which helps dissipate heat during operation.

Cons:

• Softness: Bronze is softer than steel, which can lead to increased wear in high-load applications.

3. POM (Polyoxymethylene) Sliding Washer Thrust Bearings:

Pros:

• Low Friction: POM, a type of thermoplastic, offers low friction, reducing wear and the need for lubrication.
• Corrosion Resistance: Being a plastic, POM is inherently resistant to corrosion and many chemicals.
• Lightweight: POM bearings are significantly lighter than their metal counterparts, making them suitable for applications where weight is a concern.

Cons:

• Thermal Limitations: POM has a lower melting point than metals and can deform under high-temperature conditions.
• Strength: While POM has respectable tensile strength for a plastic, it’s not as strong as metals like steel or bronze.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right material for sliding washer thrust bearings depends on the specific requirements of the application. Steel is a robust and durable choice for heavy-duty applications, while bronze offers self-lubricating properties and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, POM provides a lightweight and low-friction alternative, especially suitable for applications where weight and corrosion resistance are critical.

Each material has its unique advantages and limitations. The key is to assess the operational conditions, load requirements, environmental factors, and maintenance preferences before making a decision. No matter the choice, ensuring regular inspection and maintenance will prolong the lifespan and efficiency of any thrust bearing.

POM composite thrust washers consist of a sheet steel backing on which a 0,2 to 0,4 mm thick layer of tin/bronze is sintered. The principal characteristic of these washers is their relatively thick (0,3 mm) covering layer of acetal resin (POM – polyoxymethylene) with additives. This covering layer has pockets to retain grease and is firmly attached to the sintered tin/bronze layer. POM composite dry sliding thrust washers are designed for applications where axial space is limited, maintenance is not possible, and where lubricant starvation can occur.

As well as for composite bushings and strips, we manufacture composite thrust washers as standard from PTFE and POM composite materials.

POM composite thrust washers

POM composite thrust washers have pockets in the sliding surface, which serve as grease reservoirs and should be filled with grease prior to installation. This makes these washers suitable for applications that require minimal maintenance under difficult operating conditions, for example in contaminated environments where lubricant cannot be supplied continuously or frequently. Despite of their compact design, POM composite washers can accommodate heavy axial loads and are less sensitive to misalignment. They are suitable for slow rotational or oscillating movements.

The thickness of the covering layer makes these washers less sensitive to misalignment and the edge loading associated with that misalignment.

POM THRUST WASHER

• Base material: Steel
• Intermediate layer: Sintered bronze.
• Top layer: POM

PLAIN SLEEVE THRUST WASHERS

Fiber Reinforced Composite Thrust Washer Bearings with POM Liner,

Composite washer: steel backing with PTFE sliding layer Coating Thrust Washer, Switch From Steel Bearings Are Self-Lubricating, Which Means You Never Need Grease. For Hydro Plant Application.

Metal-polymer precision bearings …

thrust washer Diameter, thrust washer, depending on the inside diameter.

Engineered Steel POM Thrust Washer

self-lubricating engineered pom thrust washers are used as axial bearings with cylindrical bushes to prevent metal-to-metal contact.

Thrust Washer Metal-Polymer Anti-Friction Plain Bearings … Brand, Composite Bushing Material Steel Back + Porous Bronze Sinter + POM).

Thrust Washer Metal-Polymer Anti-Friction Plain Bearings Composite Bushing Material Steel Back + Porous Bronze Sinter + POM).

POM coating thrust washer self-lubricating Washer

Metallic composite washer: steel backing with PTFE sliding layer coating thrust washers refer to plain bearings with self-lubricating functions.
They are high-performance, high quality, lubrication-free, and maintenance-free bearings for various industries.

AVAILABILITY
Bearing forms available in standard dimensions

• Plain cylindrical bushes
• Sliding plates

Lubrication of Sliding Bearings for Hydropower Applications

Bearing forms made to order: cylindrical bushes with non-standard dimensions, customized bearing designs

The Steel backed series are a self-lubricating composite washer: steel backing with PTFE sliding layer coating thrust washer composed of three layers: Polytetrafluoroethylene plastic layers with fillers, sintered bronze layers, and back metals steel backing.

Self-Lubricating composite washer: steel backing with PTFE sliding layer coating thrust washer, switch from metal bearings are self-lubricating, which means you never need grease. Extend the life of your equipment by switching to composite bearings and bushings.

Similar Glacier Washer Garlock Bearings then thrust washer Bearing Technology manufactures self-lubricating, prelubricated plain bearings and tribological polymer.

Self-lubricating composite washer: steel backing with PTFE sliding layer coating thrust washer

Carbon Steel + Copper Powder + (POM + Pb + Filler)
Steel backed with copper-plated steel with porous bronze sintered on the steel and polymers (pom) embedded into the bores of the bronze. By combining the metals and the polymers together, its products are endowed with a lower friction coefficient and good capacity of anti-abrasion and self-lubrication. Moreover, the steel back is plated with an erosion-prevention layer. Products of the Pom composite series are widely applied in printing, weaving, and tobacco-producing machines, gymnastic equipment, etc.

Dry Operation Very Good
Lubricated Operation Very Good
Machinable Applicable
RoHS Compliant Compliant
Standard Sizes Not Available

One-Piece Compact design
One-Piece Compact Design
Material is suitable for continuous sliding, rotating, and oscillating movement
Suitable for Continuous Sliding, Rotating, and Oscillating Movement
The material allows for simple assembly
Simple assembly
Material eliminates/reduces maintenance
Maintenance-Free Operation
The material performs well under lubricated operation
Lubricated operation
Material withstands high loads
High Load Capacity
The material helps extend the application’s service life
Extended service life
Material operates well in a dry environment
Dry operation

THRUST WASHER PLAIN BEARINGS STANDARD SIZE

Wear-resistant