When conventional plain bearings reach their limits
Corrosion, impact loads, vibrations, and high edge pressures pose particular challenges for bearing points in many machines. Robust and maintenance-free solutions are especially demanded for construction machinery, aerial work platforms, ship cranes and applications in saline or chemically aggressive environments.
Our GUARD.X fibre composite sliding bearings were developed specifically to meet these requirements. Thanks to their multi-layer structure comprising high-strength fibres, epoxy resin and a PTFE sliding layer they combine high load capacity, long service life and excellent corrosion resistance.
What are fibre composite plain bearings?
Fibre composite plain bearings are among the highest-performing maintenance-free plain bearings on the market. Unlike conventional plastic plain bearings, they feature a wound filament structure that retains its dimensional stability even under heavy loads.
This makes them particularly suitable for applications involving:
- high static and dynamic loads
- oscillating and pendulum movements
- impact loads
- edge pressures
- corrosive environmental conditions
- hard-to-reach bearing points
Material composition: The foundation for high load-bearing capacity
PTFE sliding layer for low friction
The inner sliding layer consists of PTFE and high-strength fibres that are continuously wound and fully embedded in a lubricated high-temperature epoxy resin.
The result:
- low coefficients of friction
- low-wear operation
- maintenance-free function
- no stick-slip effect
Fibreglass reinforcement for maximum stability
The outer structure consists of fibreglass reinforcement produced using a filament winding process with high-temperature epoxy resin. Manufacturing complies with DIN ISO 3547 or DIN ISO 4379 standards.
In addition to standard dimensions, custom outer diameters and special contours can also be produced.
The advantages of fibre composite plain bearings
This unique material combination offers numerous advantages over conventional bearing solutions:
✓ Maintenance-free
✓ High corrosion resistance
✓ High impact and shock resistance
✓ Excellent absorption of edge loads
✓ Noise-absorbing properties
✓ Suitable for micro-movements
✓ Low moisture absorption
✓ High weather resistance
✓ Long service life
✓ Reliable operation even under challenging conditions
It is not without reason that fibre composite plain bearings are considered the "heavy athlete" among maintenance-free plain bearings.
Practical example: Aerial work platform with working heights of up to 20 meters
The example of an aerial work platform illustrates the impact of loads acting on bearing points.
At working heights of around 20 meters, travel movements, load changes or wind forces cause significant deflection of the work platform; excursions of up to one meter are not uncommon.
These movements are transmitted through the entire structure to the bearing points, creating high edge loads and fluctuating forces that place severe strain on conventional bearing solutions.
Fibre composite plain bearings offer decisive advantages here. The combination of an elastic fibre matrix and a PTFE liner enables reliable absorption of edge loads and impact forces. They ensure a safe and maintenance-free operation even under constantly changing loads.
Proven solution for construction machinery and maritime applications
In addition to aerial work platforms, fibre composite plain bearings are used in numerous other applications such as:
- Marine cranes
- Port handling equipment
- Construction machinery
- Agricultural machinery
- Lifting and conveying technology
- Offshore applications
- Industrial plants in corrosive environments
These corrosion-resistant materials demonstrate their advantages particularly in seawater, humid environments or upon contact with aggressive media.
Reliability when it matters most
Fibre composite plain bearings combine high load-bearing capacity with maintenance-free operation and corrosion resistance. Wherever conventional bearing designs reach their limits, they offer a durable and cost-effective alternative.
The field photos shown in this article were taken with the kind assistance of Agrarservice Jonas Kuhlenbeck and MMV Merzener Maschinenvermietung, both of them experience the reliability of fibre composite plain bearings in daily operation.
