Page 26 - Plastics News September 2022

“These unique bearings can operate
Trelleborg Launches Low Friction Lightweight from an extremely low temperature of
Thermoplastic Composite Bearing -156°C to +274°C (-250°F to +525°F)
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.”
Trelleborg’s AFP technology is
part of a special continuous-fiber
thermoplastic composite manufacturing
process, which uses pre-impregnated
unidirectional composite tapes to
produce strong, light-weight composite
bearings and other components. The
manufacturing process utilizes In-Situ
Consolidated (ISC) technology that
requires no autoclave or other post
processes to eliminate fiber wrinkling
relleborg Sealing Solutions has Bearing Plus will not seize or gall, and offer an unlimited choice of fiber
Tlaunched its latest lightweight unlike metal bearings — reducing the angles. Components are rapidly formed
thermoplastic composite bearing, the likelihood of pump damage in chemical by a melt-bond process, which removes
HiMod Advanced Composite Bearing processing applications — have a low the need for adhesives, fasteners, or
Plus, an enhanced dual-layer bearing coefficient of friction and can withstand welding. ISC technology enables the
with a low-friction modified PEEK layer extreme temperature ranges. bonding of different materials which
that reduces friction and increases wear Reid Hislop, product manager at can result in the creation of new, hybrid
performance for use in bearing, wear Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, says: structures.
ring and bushing applications. “Thermoplastic bearings offer high Hislop, continues: “Our low-friction
Manufactured using Trelleborg’s durability and toughness for demanding PEEK liner doubles as a highly
patented Automated Fiber Placement applications. The addition of a low- impermeable sealing surface to
(AFP) technology, a thin low friction friction layer within our HiMod provide wide chemical compatibility
liner is bonded to the inner diameters Advanced Composite Bearing Plus including solvents and environmental
and can be added to the outer diameters provides up to 50% less sliding friction contaminants, and unlike traditional
of the bearing to create a high-quality than with standard bearings, to increase thermoset composites, thermoplastic
solution for use in a wide range of performance and prevent damage to composites can be recycled at the end-
industries. HiMod Advanced Composite hardware components. of-life.”

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26 PLASTICS NEWS September 2022 27 PLASTICS NEWS September 2022