Tech Talk Blog

Question: I am using Rulon J on a very small diameter shaft with a light load and medium speed condition. For some reason I am getting more stiction and friction than I expected. Any suggestions?

Answer: One of the issues with Rulon and any PTFE based bearing material is that there is an optimal load range to get the performance you desire. If the bearing is too lightly  loaded you will experience an increase in friction. That is a phenomenom common to PTFE. The thing to remember is the higher the load, the lower the friction. Reducing the surface contact area by either shortening the bearing or machining small reliefs on the ID of the bearing will increase surface loading. That will in turn reduce the friction. It may take some experimenting to get the result you want but it really does work!

Rulon J is a polymer reinforced PTFE material with extremely low friction and long wear life. Developed by Dixon Industries over 40  years ago, Rulon J is best used in light duty, high speed bearing applications. Operating temperatures of -400 to +550F are attainable with Rulon J as with all Rulon materials. Rulon J is commonly used in applications where absolute minimal stick slip can be tolerated, no lubrication can be used and speeds are running as high as 500 sfpm. Rulon J can be found in office machines, X-Y-Z guides on analytical instruments, fine movement aerospace components and similar types of equipment. For more information Rulon J visit www.tstar.com or simply Ask The Experts your direct question.

Rulon is a family of PTFE based materials used in bearing and seal applications. Most Rulon materials will operate in temperatures from -400 to +550F in virtually all chemical environments. There are now Rulon materials with FDA clearance and USPVI use. Most frequently used Rulon’s are Rulon LR, Rulon J, Rulon 641 and Rulon 142. Visit www.tstar.com for more information and design assistance.