Tech Talk Blog

We have recently developed a new adhesive for UHMW adhesion. This adhesive is a hot melt adhesive with a glass transition (Tg) of -4 F and a shear failure at 246 F. This means that the hot melt adhesive can expand and contract with the UHMW when bonded to a rigid backing (i.e. UHMW bonded to steel). The use of mechanical fasteners to hold down large pieces of UHMW and the problems of buckling are nearly eliminated. Moreover, the UHMW needs only to be clean for the adhesive to work effectively; no surface treatments or special primers are needed. Our lab tests have shown bonding UHMW to steel in lap shear:

Max (psi) = 83.928         Break (psi) = 75.685     Ext @ Brk = 0.131 in

Other adhesive in development is a new epoxy designed for underwater applications to compliment our existing epoxy product line. Specifically, this underwater epoxy is engineered for submerged bearings for water treatment plants or anywhere where our bearing are used or exposed to water or washing.

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Composite self lubricating bearings take advantage of superior strength from filament or laminate wound structure. Add to that a variety of lubricating media like PTFE, MOS2, Graphite and combine with abrasion resistant, high strength woven liners and you have the makings of super bearings! Composite bearings are primarily applied to high load, low speed applications however new liner materials allow for speeds up to 500 feet per minute without lubrication. Another unique quality of composite bearings is they love to be under water. Excellent materials for marine applications under water, deck side and dock side.

Check out some stories in our Shooting Star Archives and look on www.tstar.com for more information!

High temperature polymers have been around for many years but industry is just now learning the value of these unique materials. Imidized materials like Celazole (PBI), Vespel and Meldin (PI) and Torlon (PAI) are able to maintain high physical strength in the 500-750F operating range. These materials have excellent wear properties and are available in many blends which enhance friction/wear properties, structural strength and thermal stability.

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Rulon bearing materials, and other filled PTFE materials like Fluorosint and Ultraflon, have a unique reaction where coefficient of friction is concerned. Unlike most materials which theorize that higher loads and speeds mean higher friction, filled PTFE products are just the opposite. WIth these materials, the higher the load – the lower the friction. Same goes for speed as a general rule. Design your PTFE bearings with the thought in mind that surface contact area can be reduced dramatically to optimize friction properties. Remember, more is not necessarily better when it comes to PTFE based bearing materials.

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