Composite Beast

A composite bearing is a bearing made from a combination of materials such as a resin reinforced with fibre and this may also include friction reducing lubricants and ingredients. A composite bearing is not a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bearing in a carrier of another material, this is a PTFE bearing in a carrier. The plain composite bearing can be lighter than a rolling element bearing but this is not always a feature as some composites are extremely dense which results in lower porosity. Another distinctive feature of the composite bearing is its lightweight design—it can be one-tenth the weight of the traditional rolling element bearing. No heavy metals are used in its manufacture. Composite bearings can be customized to meet the individual requirements of many applications, such as wear- or high-temperature resistance. The weight of the composite bearing can vary depending on its backing. The PTFE liner can be applied on steel or aluminum backing. Through filler compounds, various properties of the composite bearing, such as resistance to creep, wear and electrical conductivity, can be optimized.