Plastic Bearings for Use in Extreme Environments

The Xiros range of plastic ball bearings, the subject of Igus's 'video of the week', are designed for applications where the use of grease or lubricants is prohibited. Free from maintenance and lubricants, the bearings are said to be suitable for extreme environments. The food and drinks industry, in particular, bans the use of such substances altogether.

The design of the Xiros ball bearings is the same as conventional steel bearings, consisting of an inner and outer race, a cage and a number of balls; the only difference is that the races and cage are made from Igus tribological polymer materials. These plastic materials are self lubricating and thus negate the need for lubricants. The Xiros range comes in three standard Igus materials, allowing for use in a variety of environments.

The Xiros B180 is a low-friction, electrically insulating ball bearing designed for use in conveyors, handling systems and process technology. Offering chemical and temperature resistance, the Xiros A500 bearing can also conform to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for contact with foodstuffs. The third variety of Igus Xiros plastic bearing is the C160; this is a corrosion-free ball bearing and is said to be the most cost-efficient option.

On top of the specialist characteristics of each material, the Igus Xiros range maintains the same properties as standard Igus materials. The operational life of the Xiros range can be calculated online using the Igus Xiros service life prediction tool; the user inputs application data and the correct Xiros bearing is selected, with a life calculation.

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