MechChem Africa November-December 2023

⎪ Power transmission, bearings, bushes and seals ⎪

Polymer fibre composite bearings push applications limits Modern day polymer fibre composites such as igus’ igutex have improved to the point where they are able to outperform traditional materials in myriad applications, even while withstanding high loads and abrasive conditions. Juan-Eric Davidtz of igus South Africa explains.

Modern polymer fibre composite bearings such as the igus igutex can now be engineered to carry the heaviest loads, opening their use to applications previously confined to solid steel or bronze bearings.

P olymer technology in products such as igus’ igutex fibre composite tech nology is able to withstand extreme loads in heavy-duty applications. With advancements in polymer technology, the application boundaries for technical plas tics have expanded significantly. As a result, says motion plastics specialist, Juan-Eric Davidtz of igus South Africa, poly mers have gained widespread use in various industries, and easily replace steel or bronze for loads exceeding 100 MPa. This is where companies such as igus have been at the fore front of developments in new thermoplastics with fibre reinforcement, which boast impres sive strengths in real-world scenarios. “In the real-world, materials face alternat ing, unevenly distributed and dynamic loads that impact them in multiple ways. Forces can act simultaneously in different directions or induce fatigue and stress due to frequent changes in intensity and direction. Therefore, addressing high-load scenarios requires a multidimensional approach that

properties through recipe changes in the fibre composite formulation. The material's shape and processing method can be influenced, resulting in materials well-suited for various requirements. This development not only enhances resistance to high loads but also provides a new level of performance in heavy duty applications. While high-strength fibre composites exhibit unparalleled strength values, injec tion moulding holds its ground as a potential cost-effective solution, particularly for large quantities. Dedicated teams of engineers at igus are employed to explore the capabilities of injection-moulded thermoplastics. The iglidur Q3E, a multi-layer plain bearing, exemplifies this approach, combining various optimised iglidur materials to perform different tasks. “With high-load applications no longer confined to solid steel or bronze bearings igus is redefining the possibilities of high performance polymers,” Juan-Eric Davidtz concludes. www.igus.co.za

includes influencing factors beyond just ma terial compressive strength. “Shear strength, toughness and creep resistance are equally crucial attributes that must be considered,” says Davidtz. “As a result our researchers and engineers have turned to high-performance polymers and formulations, utilising flexible injection moulding processes and harnessing fibre composite technology,” he adds. “With over four decades of experience in plain bearing development we have per fected our igutex TX3 material for this kind of heavy load application. These bushings use extremely strong filaments, woven together to absorb high loads effectively. By embed ding solid lubricants for friction reduction and lubrication-free operation, igutex combines mechanical stability with high load-bearing capacity,” he explains. Fibre composite technology, he continues, offers a fresh perspective, especially when traditional injection-moulded plain bearings reach their limits. Like the thermoplastic igli dur materials, igutex TX3 allows for tailored

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