ADVANCED EMC TECHNOLOGIES

Plane Polymer Bearing Design Considerations

Choice of the correct bearing material is dependent on wear, friction requirements,
load bearing capacity, temperature, pressure and running velocity. We recommend
that a range of material is tested as the performance limits given are based on ideal
operating conditions as each factor is independently tested. Unknown parameters or
operating conditions could limit the validity of these performance limits. Specific
material compatibility should be checked on each application.
Selecting the Appropriate earing
! "s this service #otary, Static, $scillating or #eciprocating%
! What velocity and lubrication will be present%
! What are the desired temperature and load requirements%
! What is the shaft material and surface finish%
! "s the bearing faced with abrasive, erosive or chemically aggressive conditions%
&oad Capacity
An estimation of the load requirement can be made using a calculations based on the
failure load of the weakest dynamic member. earing load depends on factors such
as diametric tolerances, rod deflection, bearing deformation. 'irect e(ternal loads
and other forces such as the weight of the component, non)concentric a(ial loads
and rod deflection must be considered. "t is assumed that the bearing load
distribution can be a constant load over the pro*ected bearing area. +he pro*ected
bearing area is calculated as follows,
earing "nside 'iameter-d. ( &ength of earing-b./earing Area-a. 'etermining
the earing &oad An estimate of the load requirements must be made and are
typically based upon several factors,
! 0ailure load of the weakest member of the structural design -this may be the
thermoplastic bearing itself or other hardware constraints.
! 'irect e(ternal loads
! +he force due to the weight of the components
! Working side)load and deflection forces
! 1ccentric positioning
"t is important to maintain the lowest possible unit loading on the bearing. We
assume that the load distribution is constant over the pro*ected bearing area. +he
pro*ected area is a function of the bearing contact diameter and the a(ial length
whereby.
earing Area-a. in
2
/ earing "nside Contact 'iameter-d. in. ( earing &ength-b. in.
$nce we determine the force load requirement and the pro*ected bearing area we
can calculate the overall unit loading by dividing the total force load by the pro*ected
area. +his gives us the compressive stress or load bearing pressure in psi required
in the application.
Advaned EMC Te!nologies
P!one" 3)455)677)8995
ADVANCED EMC TECHNOLOGIES
3. 'etermining A(ial &ength of the earing 3. 'etermine the ma(imum total load to
be supported by the bearing.
2. Calculate the pro*ected bearing area by multiplying the bearing diameter by an
initial a(ial length.
:. 'ivide the total load by the pro*ected are to arrive at the application compressive
stress -also called load bearing pressure.. +he required compressive strength is
calculated by the multiplying the compressive stress by a factor of safety -generally
2 or :is recommended..
7. ;odify the a(ial length accordingly that will result in a required compressive
strength that will not e(ceed the candidate materials available compressive strength.
earing <= &imits
'ynamic applications require tribological properties that resist wear and the negative
effects of frictional heat. >aving oil film lubrication, in the absence of particle
contamination, will prolong the life of a dynamic load bearing system. "n design we
account for ?worst case? wear conditions by determining the effect of running surface
speed for a given load bearing pressure. +his relationship is referred to as ?<=?
limits of a material, assuming ?dry? conditions. +he operational limits can be defined
by <= as, <=/&oad earing <ressure -psi.( =elocity-ft@min.. earing ;edia the
0luorolon bearings have almost unlimited chemical compatibility, e(cept for with
acids and strong o(idiAing agents.
earing &ubrication
<+01 bearings are designed to run without any lubrication, however lubricated
bearings will e(hibit lower coefficient of friction and longer life. +hermoplastic and
composite bearings can run without lubrication for short periods of time, but
lubrication is highly recommended.
;aterial Selection and 'esign =alidation,
$nce the application bearing pressure is calculated, a candidate bearing material can
be selected that e(ceeds the stress requirements. We recommend a 0actor of Safety
-0S. of 2 in design. +his 0S takes into account the creep and deformation under load
characteristics of plastic materials and also accounts for the design ?unknowns?. "f
the required load e(ceeds the capability of the available materials then the pro*ected
bearing area in design must be increased. +his is accomplished by increasing the
a(ial length of bearing as defined in point : of the ?'etermining A(ial &ength of the
earing? section. #e)iterate the calculations until required safety load falls within the
capacity of the candidate materials.
<lease fill free to contact Advanced 1;C +echnologies engineering for detailed
assistance at
3)455)677)8995.
Advaned EMC Te!nologies
P!one" 3)455)677)8995