SMB Bearings

Plastic bearings: your essential guide

Got a question about plastic bearings? We’ve got you covered.

If you’re considering stepping away from traditional steel bearings, plastic bearings may offer the ideal alternative. Plastic bearings are five times lighter than steel, can reduce costs by up to 25 per cent and perform well in harsh environments. Still need convincing? Read on.

This handy guide explains why you should consider plastic bearings for your next project and how to choose from the four common types available on the market. Whether you need bearings for marine, cleanroom or chemical environments, we dish out advice from our knowledgeable technical team.

Plastic materials

There are multiple parts in plastic bearing design, including the rings, balls and cages, which can vary in material — and they may not necessarily be made from plastic.

Inside this free downloadable guide, you will find complete definitions of each of the four plastic bearing ring options you should know about. The guide explains the differences between Acetal resin/POM-C, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and Polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Download the guide here, to determine which plastic material is right for you.

Applications for plastic bearings

We also give valuable advice on the types of bearings that perform well in certain applications as some plastics have better resistance to certain chemicals than others. For example, PVDF performs well in chlorine environments unlike some other materials. If in doubt, ask us for recommendations. Plastic bearings are ideal if you need corrosion resistant, non-magnetic or non-conductive bearings.

In this guide, we have collated the extensive knowledge of the SMB Bearings technical team, but if you still want further information, we also answer the most commonly asked questions related to plastic bearings and their potential applications.