Product Overview
UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) bushings are non-metallic, self-lubricating wear components installed between moving shafts and housings. They protect structural components from direct friction, metal-to-metal contact, and abrasive wear.
Specifications & Grades
|
Property |
Typical Value |
|
Density |
0.93 g/cm³ |
|
Tensile Strength |
40 MPa |
|
Elongation at Break |
300% |
|
Flexural Strength |
24 MPa |
|
Compressive Strength (10% Deformation) |
21 MPa |
|
Hardness |
Shore D 66 |
|
Dynamic Coefficient of Friction |
Approx. 0.12 |
|
Water Absorption |
Less than 0.01% |
|
Heat Deflection Temperature (0.45 MPa) |
47 °C |
|
Melting Point |
Approx. 135 °C |
|
Continuous Operating Temperature Range |
-150 °C to +82 °C |
Key Advantages
Self-Lubricating & Low Friction: Low coefficient of friction (approx. 0.12) allows smooth dry-running operation, eliminating the need for continuous external grease.
Exceptional Wear & Impact Resistance: Absorbs high shock loads and resists severe abrasion in harsh, dusty, or high-vibration environments.
Zero Moisture Absorption: Water absorption (less than 0.01%) ensures superior dimensional stability in wet, submerged, or humid conditions.
Corrosion & Chemical Immunity: Rust-proof and resistant to aggressive acids, alkalis, salts, and cleaning chemicals.
Lightweight Efficiency: At a density of 0.93 g/cm³, it significantly reduces assembly weight compared to bronze or steel bushings.
Industry Applications
Conveyor & Material Handling: Roller bushings, guide wheel sleeves, and overhead conveyor pivot bearings.
Agricultural Machinery: Linkage joint bushings, pivot pins, and hinge sleeves for planters and harvesters.
Mining & Heavy Construction: High-impact sliding pads and pivot bushings resistant to dirt and slurry.
Food & Pharmaceutical Processing: FDA-compliant conveyor wear parts and bottling equipment bearings.
Marine & Offshore Facilities: Submerged dock hinges, cable sheaves, and rudder pin bearings.
Available Bushing Configurations
Straight Bushings: Cylindrical sleeves for standard radial sliding, shafts, and pivot joints.
Flanged Bushings: Integrated flanges to control axial movement and carry thrust loads.
Stepped Bushings: Designed for stepped shafts or multi-diameter housing bores.
Grooved Bushings: Machined with internal or external lubrication or debris evacuation channels.
Custom Profile Bushings: Complex geometries with shoulders, keyways, cross-holes, chamfers, or tight radii.
Available Material Grades
Virgin UHMWPE (Standard Industrial Grade)
High purity, maximum wear, and impact performance.
FDA / EU Food Contact Grade
Compliant with food, beverage, and pharmaceutical processing regulations.
Anti-Static / ESD Grade
Prevents static charge buildup in sensitive electronic or powder-handling systems.
MoS2 / Glass-Filled Grade
Enhanced self-lubricating properties, higher rigidity, and reduced thermal expansion.
Selection Considerations
Selecting the correct bushing configuration requires evaluating the entire operational system:
Mating Shaft & Housing Fit: Inside and outside diameters must account for thermal expansion, material deformation under load, and required running clearances.
PV Rating (Pressure x Velocity): High sliding speeds generate frictional heat, which must be balanced against radial loads to avoid thermal degradation.
Mating Surface Hardness: Smooth, hardened metal shafts (Ra less than 0.4 um) maximize bushing service life and lower overall wear rates.
Environmental Exposure: Operating temperature, exposure to UV, submersion, or slurry conditions determine the optimal material grade.
Quality Assurance
Every production run undergoes strict quality control to guarantee compliance with your engineering drawings.
Dimensional Inspection
100% check of critical ID, OD, flange thickness, concentricity, and axial tolerances using digital calipers, micrometers, and CMM.
Material Traceability
Raw material certificates and compliance documentation (such as FDA or RoHS) available upon request.
First Article Approval
Sample inspection reports provided prior to volume manufacturing.
Packaging & Global Logistics
Protective Packaging: Individual polybags, bubble wrap, and sealed inner cartons to prevent scratch damage or surface contamination.
Bulk & Custom Labeling: Labeled with part numbers, batch numbers, and barcode tags for easy inventory management.
Shipping Options: Wooden crates or export pallets formatted for sea freight, air express (DHL / FedEx / UPS), or air cargo
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you produce bushings directly from 2D/3D engineering drawings?
A: Yes. We work with STEP, IGES, DWG, DXF, and PDF formats to produce exact-to-spec components.
Q: Can you manufacture parts based on a physical sample?
A: Yes. You can send a worn or sample part for reverse engineering, dimensional measurement, and drawing creation.
Q: Are UHMWPE bushings suitable for completely dry operation?
A: Yes. The low coefficient of friction (~0.12) makes them ideal for dry-running applications where oil or grease contamination cannot be tolerated.
Q: How do you handle thermal expansion during design?
A: We assist in calculating the correct initial running clearance (ID oversize / OD allowance) based on your maximum continuous operating temperature.
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