Alternative to metal: iglidur H5 series bearings are particularly robust, chemical-resistant and lightweight

Robust, corrosion-free, chemical-resistant and lightweight – the automotive industry places high demands on plain bearings, for everything from engine compartments to windscreen wipers. Since many bearing materials reach their limits here, igus, the Cologne-based plastics specialist, is launching an alternative: plain bearings made from iglidur H5, the new high-performance plastic.

Plain bearings in the chassis or gearbox, convertible top systems or pedals should be robust, durable and corrosion-free. When used in windscreen wipers, for instance, they should also be resistant to a wide range of chemicals. Lightweight is also important to increase range and reduce power consumption. “This is comparable to a flyweight boxer who has to survive in the super heavyweight division,” says Stefan Loockmann-Rittich, Head of Business Unit iglidur Plain Bearings at igus. But throwing in the towel is not an option. “In order to meet the increasing demands of the automotive industry, we have developed iglidur H5, a new high-performance plastic for plain bearings.”

A high bar: iglidur H5 is 30% more wear-resistant than its predecessor

iglidur H5 is the fifth member of the iglidur H series. All previous materials in the product range are often more durable and fail-safe in automotive engineering than most plain bearings made from metal composites and conventional plastics. “With iglidur H5, we have now raised the bar even higher,” says Loockmann-Rittich. “Long-term tests in our in-house test laboratory have shown that iglidur H5 is up to 30% more wear-resistant than its predecessor, H4.” This improvement was achieved by further optimising the formulation. The significantly improved impact resistance and flexibility of the new iglidur H5 material complement the materials in the H series, which are also fibre-reinforced, primarily for higher loads, while remaining relatively hard and therefore brittle. iglidur H5 is also resistant to high loads and force application, but much tougher than iglidur H3 and H4, for example.

iglidur H5: robust with as little as one-fifth the weight of alternative materials and resistant to temperatures of up to 200°C

Automotive engineering has many possible applications for the new plain bearings. iglidur H5 can be used in windscreen wipers, for instance, which must work reliably under heavy loads – such as layers of snow. “We have therefore added fibres and filling materials to the base polymer. They enable the plain bearings to withstand high forces, edge loads, impacts and shocks, even under continuous load,” says Loockmann-Rittich. The new material is also resistant to road salt, chemicals, fuels, oils and high temperatures (up to 200°C). It is therefore also suitable for components in the engine compartment, such as water and coolant pumps. “iglidur H5 is a refined material that ideally prepares us for current and future requirements in the automotive industry.” But the new polymer plain bearings can also be used in pumps in chemical plants and other industrial applications.