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1 min read

How Do PTFE and Rulon Bearing Materials Perform in Water?

Rulon W2

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 solution for water-lubricated applications. Today I want to share the results of some independent testing we conducted.

PTFE bearing materials, like Rulon, are not usually friends of water-lubricated applications. This is simply because the PTFE does not properly transfer to the mating metal hardware to reach the goal of producing a thin lubricating film. The water is, by itself, a lubricating film, but it isn’t very efficient and does not leave room for lubricant starvation. To confim the connection, we conducted some testing with an outside lab. The goal was to study some traditional, filled PTFE materials along with Rulon W2, which was developed specifically for applications in water lube systems.

The results were definitely telling:

Traditional Filled PTFE Materials vs. Rulon W2

Testing was done using standard ASTM thrust bearing tests at 10,000 PV, 100FPM and 100 psi load.

Further to this testing, one of our customers reported over 4 million rotary cycles on a water micro-turbine shaft bearing using the Rulon W2 and there was no measurable wear at the end of the test. Rulon W2 gives low friction and excellent wear as well as good thermal dissipation, plus it prevents shaft distress. The material actually has enhanced properties when wet.

The bottom line? When it comes to bearing applications in clean water or other clean-water based solutions, Rulon W2 is our go-to material! View the Rulon Comparison Chart to review other unique formulas.

Got a question you’d like to submit to the Bearing Experts?  Submit it here!

Rulon - Quality Assurance Begins With Precision Processing