Fluoroglide® PTFE Slide Bearings & Pipe Supports

Slide bearings operate at high loads and low speeds, and it is under these conditions that the self-lubricating properties of Fluorinoid® PTFE are at a maximum. This, together with its no stick-slip and anti-weathering characteristics, is the main reason why Fluorinoid® PTFE has proved successful as a material for Fluoroglide® slide bearings.

Slide Bearing Applications

• Expansion movement in pipelines, heat exchangers, concrete decks or pipes
• Cryogenic, vibration and acoustic affects on pipelines
• Steam heated pipelines on North Sea oil production modules
• Oil & water transportation - above ground pipe mains
• Structural steel fabrications/buildings, flue gas mains, desulphurisation plant, offshore flare stack structures
• Large, complex concrete buildings - multi-storey car parks, civic centres etc
• Subsea pumping stations
• Pedestrian walkways

The Slide Bearing

Normally, a slide bearing consists simply of two pads of PTFE sliding against each other; for very high pressure applications, a single pad may be used to counter face a polished stainless steel plate. The assembly is designed so that one pad (generally the top pad) is larger than the other by an amount in excess of the expected movement, so keeping the contact area constant throughout the cycle of motion.

Our Slide Bearing Service

• Fluorocarbon Company produces Fluoroglide® slide bearings in a range of configurations, though each bearing is designed specifically to suit the application.
• The basic element is usually 2.5mm Fluorinoid® PTFE sheet, factory bonded onto a 3mm carbon steel backing plate for straightforward field installation by welding or bolting.
• Alternative thicknesses and materials for the backing plate can be supplied. i.e. stainless steel 304 or 316
• Where operating conditions require them, thermal insulation and vibration dampening pads may be bonded between the backing plate and the structure.
• To allow operation at high ambient temperature, a high temperature epoxy resin is used for bonding and the adhesives are cured under strictly controlled conditions, ensuring that the bond is stronger than the PTFE itself.
• Peel testing results can be supplied where required
• Either virgin or glass filled Fluorinoid® PTFE is used as the slide bearing material.
• Fluorinoid F100 PTFE is recommended for bearing pressures up to around 70kg/cm² (7N/mm²).
• Using Fluorinoid® FL129 the load bearing capacity is increased to 140kg/cm² (14N/mm²).
• Loads in excess of these can be accommodated by confining the material within a recessed housing and by using a polished stainless steel counter plate - proposed configurations should be discussed with our designers

Technical Advantages of Fluoroglide® PTFE Slide Bearings

• PTFE has the lowest coefficient of friction of any known solid ˜engineering material' including lubricated metal.
• There is no stick-slip action.
  
• Fluoroglide® slide bearings have near infinite life, since chemicals and weather have no effect on PTFE - moisture absorption is less than 0.01% even under icing conditions or immersion, and the material is chemically inert.
• No maintenance is required. Fluorinoid® PTFE will never cold weld to itself and therefore requires no lubrication.
• Fluoroglide® slide bearings are easily installed, either pre-assembled or on site.
• Fluoroglide® slide bearings are less bulky than alternative assemblies.
• There is no possibility of fatigue failure.
• Electrical and thermal insulation minimise galvanic corrosion and heat transfer.
• Vibrations are dampened.
• Small particles which may become embedded do not cause binding of the surfaces.
• Fluoroglide® slide bearings can accommodate some misalignment in construction without setting up stress corrosion along a leading edge, as can occur in conventional bearings