The pulp and paper industry is comprised of companies that use wood as raw material and produce pulp, paper, paperboard and other cellulose-based products. These applications are ideal for self-lubricating bearings because of the harsh environments involved, which often cause greased bearings to fail.
TriStar has worked with numerous paper mill companies on a variety of applications where self-lubricating bearing products and specialized materials − such as metal-detecting polymers that can detect tramp metals in wood pulp − provide unique benefits that significantly improve output and efficiency.
The Benefits of Composite Materials Include:
- Strong abrasion resistance and the ability (with some materials) to embed particulate matter in the surface of the bearing to reduce contamination of the processing equipment.
- Excellent resistance to caustic chemicals.
- Support for wide temperature ranges.
- Self-lubricating components eliminate manual greasing for improved cleanliness, simplified maintenance and reduced downtime.
- Low moisture absorption materials for applications where the component may be wet near 24-7.
- Self-lubricating polymers protect mating components (shafts, housings, wear plates) from damage.
- Antistatic and static dissipative plastics are extremely effective in reducing static electricity, protecting sensitive equipment throughout the mill.
From polymer filtration screens (a 70% cost savings over the previous material used) to bronze-replacement bushings in paper balers, there are few areas where advanced materials aren’t worth a look.
Some specific areas where advanced materials excel include:
If you wish to learn more about our materials we encourage you to view our deep dive on the subject as well as check out the resources highlighted below. If we can answer any questions for you about these materials, please get in touch.
