'xiros' against friction and wear
October 13th 2008

Maintenance-free polymer ball bearings in new materials and dimensions

The plain bearing specialist igus® has recently expanded the new “xiros” plastic ball bearing range. The positive feedback from customers’ has resulted in the "xiros" maintenance-free polymer ball bearings becoming an independent product line. The name "xiros" is derived from the Ancient Greek "xsiros" which means "dry", and ball bearings for lubricant-free dry running. The inner and outer rings are manufactured in two further materials and there are additional dimensions available.

The first type is a dry-running polymer ball bearing for high-temperature range, resistant up to 150°C, which has been further developed for wear resistance. The areas of application for anti-magnetic and highly corrosion-resistant open systems are in; medicine, the chemical industry, food industry, pharmaceutical and bio-technology as well as in plant engineering that requires cleaning. The second type is a maintenance-free polymer ball bearing for broader application areas in the normal temperature range associated with plastic.

Year after year, over 120 new polymer compounds are prepared and more than 8,000 tests are carried out in the igus® development laboratory. This gives customers’ precise forecasts of the service life of the bearing in their particular application use and can also develop completely new application sectors. The tests mainly focus on wear, friction value and drive forces required under a wide range of loads and speeds as well as further environmental conditions (temperature, media, soiling, impact and blows).

More articles from igus (UK) Limited: