POM/Acetal Plain Bearings

POM/Acetal plain bearings are a type of self-lubricating plain bearing known for their high stiffness, low friction, and excellent wear resistance, suitable for various industrial applications involving rotational and oscillating movements.
Key Features and Benefits
Self-Lubricating: These bearings require minimal to no external lubrication, making them suitable for hard-to-access areas and reducing maintenance costs.
Low Friction Coefficient: POM (polyoxymethylene), or Acetal, provides low friction, ensuring smooth and efficient movement while minimizing wear on mating components.
High Strength and Stiffness: As an engineering thermoplastic, POM/Acetal offers high mechanical strength and rigidity, often acting as a substitute for some metal parts to reduce weight.
Dimensional Stability: They have low moisture absorption and a low thermal expansion coefficient, which contributes to excellent dimensional stability even in damp or fluctuating temperature environments.
Chemical Resistance: POM has good resistance to most solvents, oils, and alkalis, although it can be degraded by strong acids or oxidizing agents.
Vibration Damping: Acetal plain bearings exhibit excellent vibration damping behavior, contributing to quieter operation compared to metal bearings.
Construction
Most high-performance POM plain bearings are not solid plastic but composite materials with multiple layers:
Steel Backing: A low-carbon steel core provides the necessary mechanical strength and structural integrity to support the operational loads.
Sintered Bronze Interlayer: An intermediate layer of porous, sintered bronze is applied to the steel. This layer helps dissipate heat and forms a strong bond between the steel and the plastic liner.
POM Sliding Layer: The top layer is made of acetal plastic (POM), often with small indents or grease pockets to capture and release lubricant, extending service life in marginally lubricated applications.
Applications
Thanks to their unique properties, POM/Acetal plain bearings are used across diverse industries:
Automotive Industry: Used in chassis, steering columns, door locks, seat belt components, and gearboxes for low friction and wear resistance.
Agricultural and Construction Machinery: Found in pivot points, hydraulic cylinder guides, and other heavy equipment that operates in demanding environments and is hard to lubricate.
Industrial Equipment: Employed in conveyor systems, packaging machines, printing machines, and lifting equipment.
Electrical Appliances: Their quiet operation makes them suitable for household appliances, office automation equipment, and consumer electronics where moving parts are present.
Marine Applications: The material's resistance to moisture makes it ideal for some marine environments.