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Since the first plane was constructed by the Wright Brothers with the tools, wood, and canvas available at an early 20th-century bicycle shop (plus a built-from-scratch 12-horsepower engine), aerospace advancements have always been constrained by...
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The aerospace industry just turned 120! We launched our guide to performance polymers in the aerospace industry to celebrate. In this blog, we...
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The defense industry has always been at the forefront of innovation, with many military advances eventually making their way into the civilian...
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Since playing a part in the birth of interchangeable parts, the U.S. defense industry has always been at the forefront of global manufacturing and...
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The U.S. defense industry has been supporting the brave men and women of our armed forces for over 240 years! For a look at the historical...
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In just 120 years, the aerospace industry has gone from a single bicycle shop to a massive global industry that helps humanity reach for the stars....
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Cleaning can be a critical first step in many manufacturing processes, particularly for the medical, aerospace, and electronics industries. Proper...
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PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is one of the most popular and widely utilized fluoropolymers in the world, known for its remarkable properties like...
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“An unprecedented number of new semiconductor wafer fabrication plants are now under construction or planned in the United States. These reflect...
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The etching and plasma deposition process is one of the most complex aspects of semiconductor manufacturing. The efficiency and yield of these...
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From cars to computers to medical devices, today’s world is built on semiconductors. The TriStar team has gotten to know this industry up close in...
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In recent years, fiber-reinforced composites have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional bronze plain bearings, and for good reason. As...
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Plastics are an integral part of our daily lives and are widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical, and...
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In a recent conversation with a bearing manufacturer, I gained valuable insights into the world of low-friction bearings. These bearings can...
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Which liner material is best for my application? This is a question that we often hear from our manufacturing partners. To determine the most...
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Torlon PAI (Polyamide-Imide) is a high performance, melt-processable thermoplastic and is among the most expensive plastics on the market. Torlon can...
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The latest addition to Saint-Gobain’s Meldin® family of materials, the 7000 series offers a powerful combination of performance characteristics that...
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Applications for high-performance polyimides have always been limited by one concern above all other: cost. But today, Saint-Gobain’s latest series...
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TriStar’s Enhanced Materials Division (EMD) offers advanced technologies like plasma surface treatment and specialized polymer filtration membranes....
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A membrane is a thin material that allows some substances through while keeping others out. But with precision engineering, membranes can be...
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What are plasma surface treatments and how can they help materials and components perform their best in demanding applications? By altering the...
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Surface energy in plastics quantifies the disruption of intermolecular bonds in the material. A higher value indicates a stronger affinity between...
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Today, the pulp and paper industry is conducting a historic pivot toward packaging materials, as the digital evolution of work and home life...
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Intensive processing is required to turn wood fibers into graphic paper, cardboard, packaging, and a variety of other paper-based products. This blog...
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The pulp and paper industry’s market is changing, but it remains robust: “If you thought the paper industry was going to disappear, think again....
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While it has ancient roots, the oil and gas industry has grown exponentially as an integral part of the industrial revolution. In a span of less than...
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The oil and gas industry is a key driver of the global economy. It’s also at a long-term strategic crossroads. In this blog, we take a look at...
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The oil and gas industry is one of the largest on the planet. It’s also one of the most crucial for overall economic performance: energy and fuel...
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The agriculture industry has a mission to keep the world fed. From hybridizing plants and animals to engineering new arable lands using irrigation...
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Agriculture is the oldest industry in human history but remains defined by changing practices, technological innovations, and a never-ending quest...
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The agriculture industry includes everything from small local farmers growing organic produce to massive grain and livestock operations producing...
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In this article, we take a look at some key types of locomotive, rail car, and maintenance of way equipment. Rail Locomotives The locomotive (or...
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Rail transportation systems are a great example of a longstanding industry that is always looking for new ways to become more efficient, safer, and...
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Railroads are the oldest form of mechanized transport and one of the original “big businesses” of the American economy. At the turn of the century,...
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In this brief overview of food processing and packaging, we take a look at: Defining the size of the food processing and packaging industry. Looking...
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Food processing is a science-driven industry that demands extensive knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and the physical properties of various...
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Major food trends have implications for a cluster of related industries. For instance, the rise of plant-based food affects not only restaurants and...
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Why do bearings fail? Unfortunately, there is not one simple, one-size fits all answer to this question. When we evaluate bearing materials for any...
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Thermoset and Thermoplastic materials have similar names, but they have very different properties. In this post, we provide an overview of what makes...
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In this blog post, we highlight TriStar’s application-focused approach to finding the right bearing materials for our client’s needs. For a broader...
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The market for bearings and similar components like bushing and shock absorbers is multi-faceted. On one hand, a variety of non-specialized,...
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Bearings and similar components often have serious implications for the performance and reliability of the design where they are employed. But in...
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For traditional bushing materials like bronze, lubrication is simply a requirement of the material. Lubrication requirements mean not only more...
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This was an excellent question from a customer wondering how long they could store non-etched Rulon materials. Rulon and PTFE Shelf Life: Key Factors...
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From food packaging and processing to general material handling, the conveyor roller bearing is an underrated superstar of the manufacturing floor....
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I’ve just returned from a great week of customer visits, and had some interesting conversations along the way. At one site, I was asked about the...
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The food and medical manufacturing industries share many commonalities; most notably, they operate in environments with strict regulations for...
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Our Ultraflon M18+ is a hyper-hydrophobic PTFE membrane that can be used to separate gas from liquid. There are several of these membranes on the...
Rulon 142 is an excellent material for high load, high speed linear guideway liners for machine tools. Commonly used as an inexpensive insurance...
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When discussing enhanced materials we often use terms like “hydrophilic/hydrophobic” and “oleophilic/oleophobic.” Just what do these terms mean...
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There is usually a good correlation between bonding and wetting. Wettability can be defined as “the ability of a solid surface to reduce the surface...
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We recently had a customer ask us for some tips on annealing cast acrylic. There are definitely some potential pitfalls when working with acrylic in...
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Fluoropolymers are a family of high-performance plastics characterized by their strong carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds. This unique atomic structure...
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Slide plate bearings provide support and a low coefficient of friction while allowing an object to move (or slide) freely along a supporting surface....
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Ultracomp is a family of laminate wound bearing materials with migratory lubricants added to the resin system. All Ultracomp bearing materials are...
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We are all aware that plastics expand and contract at different rates. When designing plastic plane bearings, one of the most critical considerations...
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UHMW remains a hot topic here on Tech Talk, and on our Ask the Experts portal, too. Why is this true? For one, the material offers great value over...
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Dust and debris are a challenge to all bearings. but impact some bearing types more than others. Food processing lines, paper mills, construction...
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Are you a problem solver? I read this interesting article in Design World, which describes manufacturing as one of the best career choices for...
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Looking for a tough, durable and versatile bearing for an industrial application? A filament wound composite bearing might be just the ticket based...
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Good adhesion of manufactured parts. Whether you want to adhere one part to another, or secure paint to a component, good adhesion can be difficult...
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Have you heard about the newest Rulon formula, Rulon 1834? It’s an exciting addition to the Rulon fluoropolymers product line. You may already know...
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We often talk about the importance of bearing service life in this forum, but what exactly is a good standard of measure to this question? The truth...
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“You want to replace tough bronze bearings with plastic?” This was the comment one of our OEMs heard when attempting to retrofit their metal...
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Have you downloaded your copy of the Robotics and Manufacturing White Paper? It’s a free resource to help you evaluate plastic and metal bearings to...
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Ever tried to machine UHMW? It’s no easy task given the material’s instability. In fact, UHMW has 12x the expansion rate of steel. Controlling heat...
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If you’re a regular reader of this space, you may recall our debate about plain bearing vs. a plane bearing. While the spelling might be hotly...
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Thanks for your feedback to our recent post about food bearings and the Food Safety Modernization Act. It’s a topic that has some serious...
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We’ve got an exciting new addition to our plastic fabrication shop – a new coordinate measuring machine! Today I want to share some of the benefits...
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Are you ready for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)? The clock is ticking — and most manufacturers need to be in full compliance with the...
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Have you been following the evolution of 3D/additive printing? It’s changing the traditional model of plastic manufacturing. Once used as a simple...
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Self-lubricating bearings can lower your bearing maintenance costs without sacrificing performance. But have you ever wondered how they lubricate?...
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Surface finish is one of the primary considerations in bearing design, since it has a direct impact on the performance of the final product. And...
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We are often asked about what can be expected when you use a Rulon bearing or any PTFE in high temperatures. Many things can occur, and it varies...
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Aircraft bearings have strict requirements for quality and performance; they must tolerate massive fluctuations in temperatures, pressurized cabins,...
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We’ve had many questions about the connection between PTFE materials and high-radiation environments. Often, when working in these conditions,...
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It’s a back-to-basics question, but one that we are asked often. Surface treatments are generally separated into two categories: atmospheric and...
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Our recent post on PTFE and Rulon in water applications generated some solid interest. Today I want to share a case study of how PTFE-based bearings...
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I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about PTFE-based materials like Rulon for use in water applications. Generally, PTFE is not a good...
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In honor of this recent commencement season, today we’re sharing a lesson right from our bearing resource center, TriStar University. Here’s a...
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Does your application require a bearing with a reinforced design? It depends on just how rigorous the application is. In some cases, a standard...
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Heavy-duty applications call for superior bearing strength, but how is bearing strength actually measured? In essence, bearing strength is the...
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Have you posted your design question to our Ask the Experts portal? It may be featured in our weekly blog, which is where this post comes from! A...
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The US manufacturing economy continues to waver between marked improvement and ongoing challenge in 2016, according to the National Association of...
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The first step to understanding the Coefficient of Friction (COF) of engineering plastics when compared to that of steel is grasping that the COF is...
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We had a great call with a marine designer who wanted to review options for marine bearings. Like many engineers, she was reluctant to replace...
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Have you ever fabricated plastic components? For many traditional machine shops, metal is an easy and familiar material to work with, but plastic...
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I had a great conversation with a machinist who wanted to compare Rulon 142 and Turcite B; two common materials used for slide and linear bearings....
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How does brinelling cause bearing failure in metal? Some of our best questions come directly into our Ask the Experts portal, and this one is a prime...
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Have you downloaded your free copy of the Bearing Selection Design White Paper? If so, you’re probably familiar with ASTM Testing Standards for...
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Why should I choose parylene coating for my devices? This question was asked at a recent site visit, and I thought I’d share some quick facts about...
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Why should you choose Fluoroloy H over other PTFE blends? We’ve got the facts! Fluoroloy H (also known as Rulon H) is one over 300 unique Rulon...
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Metal bearings – what causes bearing failure, really? The short answer is that there is no short answer; bearings can fail from a multitude of...
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Takeoffs and landings, friction and fatigue, these are just a few of the demands on aerospace bearings. Should designers choose Rulon J tape or...
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I had a great conversation this week about bearing selection and the intricacies of finding the right press fit. As a quick review, press fit is...
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Today we are talking films on Tech Talk ― as in corona treatment of ― not the latest “must- see” summer blockbuster (although we enjoy those, too!)....
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P, V and PV – how do they impact a plane bearing system? Let’s take a quick review of this important connection. Plane bearings are basically rolling...
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I’ve just returned from a few days of customer site visits, which is always a great experience. I enjoy touring the manufacturing plants and learning...
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When should you choose bearings vs. bushings? I’m often asked about bearing nomenclature (see our blog entry on plane bearings vs. plain bearings)....
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Thank you for your overwhelming response to our recent technical paper, Machining Plastics the Essential Guide to Tools and Techniques! We’ve heard...
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Keep sending us your questions about bearing failure and other bearing challenges! Some of our best products were developed as a result of your...
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We had an interesting call on our Ask the Experts line this week concerning underwater bearings and the benefits of wood vs. plastic in a hydro plant...
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Plastic fabrication is completely unlike metal fabrication; a fact that we covered indepth in our recent Machining Plastics technical white paper....
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When it comes to plastic fabrication, there is not one simple, one-size-fits-all solution to creating your ideal custom part. Plastics machining...
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Lots of interesting bearing selection questions coming into our Ask the Experts portal - have you submitted your bearing design challenge? The latest...
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First let’s settle this important question, is it a “plane” bearing or a “plain” bearing? And survey says? Both spellings are correct, although this...
Of all of the questions we receive about bearings, one of the most-commonly asked is regarding the causes of bearing failure. Just why do bearings...
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A recent customer visit found us reviewing the attributes of amorphous vs. crystalline polymers. I thought I’d share the information as a good...
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It is no secret that medical manufacturers are turning to plasma treatment to help them improve the performance of their products. Whether used to...
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Reading through some of our older posts, I noticed that we received some great feedback on our coverage of Plasma Surface Modification Improves Drone...
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Rugged Rulon 1337 for slide pads and rolling element retainers When a major manufacturer of vacuum chambers required a self-lubricating bearing to...
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I had an interesting conversation with a manufacturer this week regarding bearing materials and tribology testing. With so many counterfeit bearing...
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Measuring surface tension can be done quite easily in the lab with the use of a goniometer (or surface contact meter). In fact, this is a key service...
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We’ve had a few questions lately about the best method of bonding rubber to aluminum before overmolding. It seems this bonding combination poses a...
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Have you downloaded your free copy of our Rulon technical paper, How to Recognize Genuine and Avoid Counterfeit? This paper was developed as a...
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This question came into our Ask the Experts portal and it bears repeating. There are many variables when it comes to machining plastics that one must...
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Here’s a fishing tale about the one that didn’t get away! Our team worked with a high-end fishing manufacturer to design a whole new reel drag...
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Is corrosion a problem in your marine bearing application? Are excessive loads or speeds a challenge? Need a material to resist sea spray, barnacle...
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”Why do bearings fail?” It is a pivotal question that we hear all too often. Interestingly, one of the primary reasons for bearing failure is related...
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Judy Cedrone solves bearing challenges and gives industry insight “I love helping our engineering clients solve their tough bearing challenges,” says...
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This is a simple question that is worth repeating. Sleeve bearings are the most common type of plane bearing, and are suitable for use in a range of...
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It is a question that is still widely debated ― how do plastic and metal bearing compare? In some industries, plastic is regarded as a premium...
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Our plastic bearing blog has covered hundreds of topics over the years ― everything from questions on the surface energy of plastics to the...
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A question was recently posted to our portal asking about Trilon as a custom component. Trilon is a modified-UHMW that gives superior wear in...
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I read an interesting article recently that estimated up to 80% of all industrial bearing failures (catastrophic, functional and premature) are...
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Why do bearings fail? This is a common manufacturing question, but one that is not always easy to answer. Failure can be a result of many factors;...
Bonding Rulon® to steel, aluminum and other substrates can be easily achieved, however, surface preparation is critical in order to achieve the best...
Auto design manufacturers are constantly seeking new solutions to help improve the safety and performance of their vehicles. Innovations in 4-wheel...
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In our last post we reviewed the key questions to ask when selecting a liner material for reinforced bearings. Ultimately, the final selection will...
We recently answered a question via our Ask the Experts forum from a client searching for a tape with outstanding wear qualities. Rulon tapes...
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You’ve identified the ideal Rulon formula for your application, and now need some advice on achieving the best machining technique to fit your...
Q: We are designing plane bearings made of Rulon®, what are some key considerations in terms of coefficient of friction? A This is a question that we...
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In the last few weeks we’ve reviewed the importance of having a good bond adhesion in order to ensure proper device performance. But it is just as...
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We are often asked about which method is best for preparing fluoropolymers for a bonding application. The most critical step is bonding is to ensure...
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A question was posed to our Ask the Experts line wondering about the differences between plasma surface modification and corona treatment. While...
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Question: How do I bond Delrin to other materials? Delrin (also known as Acetal, Polyocymethylene (POM), polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde) is an...
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Functional groups via plasma processing Here is a quick review of five gases that create polar entities on a polymer surface to render it hydrophilic...
I recently had a call about Fluoroloy H from one of our engineering partners. Fluoroloy H is also known as Rulon H, and is one of the leading...
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Q&A Can you tell me about the acetal Turcite for industrial use? What are some common applications? Turcite™ is a family of materials made from both...
We all realize that friction generates heat, and heat can be problematic for plastic plane bearings. So how can you choose the right plastic bearing...
A customer recently asked us for tips on machining UHMW materials to better hold tolerances. UHMW is a very unstable material to machine, since it...
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Polymer gears are commonplace in many industries and applications. The advantages of a polymer gear include noise reduction, self lubricating...
This question was posed to us from a manufacturer of small excavators, the kind you often see in the consumer rental market. Cast nylon is a good...
I recently had a call about our TriSteel line of bearings. TriSteel PE bearings are specifically-designed for high-temperature and corrosive...
This question was posed to us from an aerospace client. Temperature is always a big issue in aerospace, particularly in military aircraft and...
With over 300 different types of Rulon available, this is a question that we hear quite often. TriStar is the official North American distributor of...
I recently received a call regarding Trilon AR, one of our newer materials. Trilon AR is a modified UHMW (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight) polyethylene...
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Previous blog addressed importance of crystallinity control on PTFE as it relates to porosity, changes in physical strength and dielectric values....
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The growth of plastics in medical devices is growing exponentially around the world. Plastics are regulated like any other materials that may come in...
Tivar HOT is a unique UHMW grade that has a dramatically higher continuous operating temperature (275°F) than standard UHMW. Tivar HOT still has...
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Fluoroloy H, aka Rulon H, is an interesting combination of ceramics and PTFE. This unique dielectric material is used inside connectors for high...
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PCTFE has long been the go to material for valve seats, seals and gaskets used in cryogenic applications. But one thing that makes PCTFE unique is...
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The first part of the answer is we need to know what kind of Teflon. DuPont's family of Teflon products includes a number of different materials....
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This study examined the relative adhesion difference between untreated polycarbonate (PC), mechanically roughened PC, and plasma treated PC. It...
Gamma Radiation is commonly used to sterilize polymer devices. But some polymers do not hold up well to this form of sterilization. The following...
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Molecular weight and crystallinity are two factors in PTFE that determine many of it's performance qualities. Both of these properties are highly...
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Q: I have a question for you. We are anodizing some aluminum parts per Mil A 8625F, Type 2, Class I and it appears to be getting somewhat poor...
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Determining the effects of aging on a package/product in real time is a lengthy process that would severely delay market introduction of new...
