TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS
typical ENGINEERING applications
We have already successfully introduced plastics in a large number of technical applications and new areas of application are regularly being developed. Despite partly comparable applications, the demands on plastics are usually very different. For this reason, generally valid application recommendations are only possible to a limited extent.
We therefore only provide information here on general or typical applications for plastics in the food and packaging industry, the bio-, pharmaceutical and medical technology, the semiconductor, solar and electrical industry as well as aerospace technology, and explain a little about the requirements for and advantages of plastics.
With regard to applications, we would like to point out that all recommendations, information and data are passed on to the best of our knowledge and belief and correspond to the current state of the art. However, the user remains obliged to check both the advice and the products independently. The user bears the exclusive responsibility for the application!
Slide bearings, rollers, wheels and seals are typical examples of technical components made of plastic. Since plastics and their properties are very diverse, they are used in a wide variety of designs in almost all industrial but also commercial areas.
Bearing bushes and sliding elements
Sliding elements in the broadest sense are a typical field of application for plastics. Polymers are used in many different areas of application because of their generally good tribological properties. Especially the emergency or dry running properties, but also the high damping capacity and the comparatively excellent media resistance are reasons for the use of plastics in bearing bushings and sliding elements.
Advantages of plastics in general
- good emergency or dry running properties
- high damping capacity
- excellent media and corrosion resistance
There are different types of slide bearings which are made of plastics. In addition, many other applications are known in which the good sliding properties are used to simplify a design. For example, a plastic roller in the mounting hole is already designed as a plain bearing instead of having an extra bearing.
Click here to read more about the different types of bearing bushes and sliding elements!
Castors, rollers and wheels
Castors, rollers and wheels are another typical field of application for plastics. Wheels and castors made of plastics can be found in almost all industrial but also commercial applications.
Apart from their resistance to chemicals and corrosion, the good damping properties and the gentle behaviour towards the running surfaces are usually the reasons for the use of plastics.
Advantages of plastics in general
- good noise and vibration damping
- high resistance to chemicals and corrosion
- protection of the counterpart
The preferred plastics for rollers and wheels in general are polyamides (PA) and polyurethanes (PUR), because they combine good stiffness, hardness and abrasion resistance with the necessary impact strength and damping capacity. Polyacetal (POM) is often used for gears in addition to polyamide because this plastic has good resilience and can absorb shock loads well.
High-performance plastics are used for rollers, rolls and wheels whenever increased temperature resistance and/or higher mechanical strength are required. Moreover, their particularly good tribological properties make the use of high-performance plastics ofte sensible.
You can find out more about the choice of materials here!
Read more about suitable plastics for castors, rollers and wheels here!
Seals and sealing elements
Besides plain bearings, seals are a typical field of application for plastics. Not only their high resistance to corrosion and chemicals, but also their wear resistance and good sliding properties predestine plastics in general for use in sealing applications!
Advantages of plastics in sealing applications
- excellent media and corrosion resistance
- high wear resistance
- good sliding properties
High performance plastics are particularly suitable for sealing applications. They can be used where conventional plastics already fail. Depending on the type, sealing rings made of high-performance plastics can be used from - 273°C to over 300°C, in peaks even up to 500°C.
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Click here to see some examples of successfully used plastic components !