Plastlager

Plastlager, or plastic bearing, is a type of bearing made primarily from polymer materials designed to support rotating or sliding shafts with low friction and wear. They are commonly used as plain bearings—bushings, sleeves, and thrust washers—rather than rolling-element bearings. The polymer matrix provides self-lubricating properties in many formulations, often complemented by solid lubricants.

Common materials include PTFE-filled or POM (acetal) bases, and other polymers such as nylon (PA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Reinforcement with glass or carbon fibers and fillers such as graphite, carbon, or molybdenum disulfide can improve strength, stiffness, and lubricity. Some designs are fully unfilled; others are composite or layered to tailor performance.

Applications span automotive, industrial machinery, food and beverage equipment, packaging, robotics, medical devices, and consumer electronics, where corrosion resistance, low weight, quiet operation, and reduced maintenance are valued. Plastlager can operate without frequent lubrication in suitable conditions, but many designs still require periodic lubrication or use lubricated mating parts to manage wear at higher loads or speeds.

Key design considerations include load and speed, shaft hardness, alignment and runout, ambient temperature and chemical exposure, moisture, and long-term creep. Selection involves balancing stiffness, strength, wear resistance, and cost, as well as tolerances and fit. Temperature and environmental exposure strongly influence material choice.

Manufacture typically involves machining or injection molding of bushings and sleeves, with surface finishing to minimize wear. Replacement is common after wear or misalignment. Overall, plastlager provide a versatile option for lightweight, corrosion-resistant bearings in many applications.