Automotive Greaseless Bushings
Featured Product from Engineered Materials, a subsidiary of PPG's aerospace division
Automotive Greaseless Bushings
Over the past twenty years, automotive manufacturers have made a concerted effort to remove all bearings and bushings that utilize grease for automobiles. This shift has been slow to take effect because producing a bearing or bushing that can withstand extreme loads and continual abuse has been a challenge. The first generation of PTFE based bushings were for low load/low duty applications found on trunk and hood hinges, seat backs and some interior components. The transformation to the higher load applications, such as door hinges and light suspension components, gained momentum when new designs incorporating a woven or sintered phosphor bronze (a naturally lubricating metal) as a support structure for the PTFE became available.
The current generation of bushing is designed for higher duty and heavier suspension components on cars, light trucks, and off-road equipment and utilize an aluminum or steel backing material in addition to an improved expanded phosphor bronze support structure for the PTFE. The performance gains utilizing an expanded product have made it the material of choice with engineers and the majority of the new bushings being designed will utilize an expanded product. Currently, there are some new model cars with over 200 bushings and this number will continue to increase as these low friction, oil-less bushings are utilized in every moving part within the automobile. Additional applications for these bushings include motorcycles, off-road equipment, bicycles, and even appliances.
Expanded Material Terminology
Download this valuable guide on the vast selection of configurations Dexmet can provide for you automotive applications.
Expanded MicroGrid for Automotive Applications
Dexmet precision expanded metals are used in a host of primary OEM and aftermarket automotive products. Typical applications include: low-cost greaseless bearings, high temperature gaskets, airbags, inlet screen and filtration. Dexmet bronze mesh is used as a lubricating material and support structure in bearings primarily for automotive applications. In addition, these expanded metals are ideal for automotive speaker grills & covers, light covers, protective light mesh and decorative applications. Automotive engineers continue to adapt Dexmet expanded metals and some expanded plastics in innovative ways.
Dexmet expanded metals and foils are the materials of choice in airbag filters. As compared to the typical extruded material or woven material, Dexmet expanded metal saves money by eliminating waste and will not unravel during processing. Dexmet expanded metals and foils are available in a wider range of widths, thicknesses, and open area configurations than any other material type. This combined with the ability to perform custom slitting and edge treatments makes Dexmet the premier supplier for airbag filter materials.
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Expanded Solutions for Engineers with Tough Applications
PPG expanded metal foils and polymers are use by some of the world's most recognized companies. Dexmet Corporation is now part of the PPG Aerospace family.
The Right Material for Your Application
Our versatile expanded metal foils and polymers are used by Fortune 500s and leaders across many different industries. When developing applications that require micro-mesh open area materials, developers and engineers turn to Dexmet for the technical experience needed to shorten the development cycle and provide the best performing, highest quality, and most cost-effective products.
We outperform the competition and ensure that our products meet our customers expectations for performance and precision. Our processes are monitored by a AS9100:D and ISO 9001:2015 quality control system to ensure a great product at a great price.
