SKF
Bushings, Thrust Washers & Strips
SKF bushings, thrust washers, and strips are plain bearing components manufactured from advanced composite materials — primarily PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and POM (polyoxymethylene) composites — designed for dry sliding operation without external lubrication. Bushings are cylindrical sleeves that support radial loads on rotating or oscillating shafts; thrust washers are flat annular components that support axial loads; strips are rectangular sliding elements used for linear guidance applications. These products share a common design philosophy: provide reliable, low-friction sliding performance in applications where axial or radial space is severely limited, maintenance is impossible or undesirable, and lubricant starvation would compromise conventional bearings. The composite materials incorporate solid lubricants that transfer to the mating surface during an initial running-in period, establishing a low-friction transfer film that persists throughout the component's service life. For design engineers developing compact mechanisms, maintenance-free equipment, and applications in food processing, medical devices, and clean environments, SKF composite bushings, thrust washers, and strips offer proven, economical sliding bearing solutions.
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Dry Sliding Operation Without External Lubrication
The PTFE and POM composite materials incorporate solid lubricants that eliminate the need for oil or grease, reducing maintenance requirements and preventing lubricant contamination of products or environments.
Compact, Space-Saving Designs
Bushings, thrust washers, and strips fit in radial or axial spaces where rolling bearings would be too large, enabling miniaturization of mechanical assemblies and weight reduction.
Corrosion-Resistant Composite Materials
Unlike metallic plain bearings, SKF composite bushing and washer materials resist corrosion from water, chemicals, and cleaning agents, making them suitable for wet and aggressive environments.
Low-Friction Transfer Film Technology
During the initial running-in period, solid lubricant transfers from the composite material to the mating surface, creating a durable low-friction film that minimizes wear throughout the component's service life.
POM Composite Option for Moisture-Insensitive Applications
For applications involving water exposure or high humidity, POM-based composite materials offer dimensional stability and consistent performance where PTFE composites might absorb moisture.
Standard & Custom Dimensions Available
SKF manufactures bushings, thrust washers, and strips in standard metric and inch sizes, with custom dimensions, grooves, and lubrication holes available for specialized applications.
How to Select the Right Composite Material for Your Application
SKF composite bushings, thrust washers, and strips are manufactured from two primary material families, each optimized for different operating conditions. PTFE composite materials (designation prefix "P") consist of a steel backing for mechanical strength, a porous bronze sintered interlayer, and a PTFE-based sliding layer that provides low friction and excellent chemical resistance. PTFE composites perform best in dry conditions and offer the lowest friction coefficients of SKF plain bearing materials. POM composite materials (designation prefix "W") use a steel backing, a sintered bronze interlayer, and a POM-based sliding layer modified with solid lubricant additives. POM composites are less sensitive to moisture than PTFE and provide excellent performance in applications involving water, humidity, or intermittent lubrication. Selection involves evaluating the expected load, sliding velocity, operating temperature, environmental media, and whether any lubrication is possible — even occasional oil or grease can dramatically extend composite bushing life.
Applications Where Composite Bushings and Washers Excel
SKF composite bushings, thrust washers, and strips serve diverse applications where their unique combination of compactness, dry-running capability, and corrosion resistance solves design challenges. Automotive applications include door hinges, pedal pivots, seat adjustment mechanisms, and steering column bearings where space is limited and lifetime lubrication is expected. Industrial applications encompass textile machinery linkages, packaging machine pivots, conveyor chain guides, and printing press rollers where lubricant contamination of products is unacceptable. Food processing equipment utilizes composite bushings in mixers, fillers, and conveyors where incidental food contact and frequent washdowns demand corrosion-resistant, maintenance-free materials. Medical devices, office equipment, and consumer products all benefit from the quiet, smooth operation of SKF composite sliding bearings.