Heavy loads are no problem for the new igutex TX3 fiber-wound material

igus launches a new dry-running material, the endurance runner, which is ideal for heavy-duty applications

April 25, 2023 -- In applications with loads of more than 80Mpa, plain bearings made of thermoplastic materials can push their limits. igus®, the world leader in motion plastics, has expanded the existing range of standard plain bearings with the new igutex® fiber-wound plain bearing series. The series displays its strength in heavy-duty areas such as construction machinery or hoists. The latest development in the product family is the material igutex TX3. It offers an even higher running performance with high dynamic forces than previous igutex bearings.

With the igutex product family, igus has developed plain bearings made from high-strength fiber wound materials. They are used where very high loads occur and where injection-molded plain bearings may reach their load limits.

"This can be construction machinery, the agricultural industry, or applications in container cranes or the offshore sector," explains Uwe Sund, Product Manager for Heavy-Duty Bearings at igus GmbH.

Extremely strong filaments and their unique winding technology structure ensure maximum resilience. A robust fiberglass fabric serves as the outer shell, while a tribologically optimized inner layer reduces friction on the shaft and gives a smooth, gliding surface.

"Our igutex materials are ideal in applications that absorb up to 200MPa," explains Sund.

With the new igutex TX3, igus has now developed a material that offers an even longer service life, especially under extreme dynamic loads and where increasing and decreasing loads may occur, for example, in the hydraulic connections of excavator shovels.

igutex TX3 also enables the use of rough or soft shaft materials, such as Cf53. As with all iglide® plain bearings, igutex TX3 is self-lubricating and is completely dry-running. Solid lubricants, which are integrated into the gliding layer of the fiber-wound bearing, enable the best possible coefficients of friction without the need for external lubrication. Users can therefore save costs on oil, grease, and maintenance. Additionally, no lubricants are released into the environment, offering a sustainability element.

The new test winner

igutex TX3 was thoroughly tested at the indoor and outdoor test rigs in the igus test laboratory in Cologne. Tests showed that from among the igutex family, the igutex TX3 plain bearing on a Cf53 hard chrome-plated shaft achieved the best values in the pivoting application with 100MPa. The new igutex TX3 fiber wound plain bearings are in stock and are part of the standard product range with inner diameters of 20 to 80 millimeters. Custom-made products with additional diameters are also available on request.

To learn more about igutex TX3 dry-running bearings, visit: https://www.igus.com/info/igutex-tx3

ABOUT IGUS:
igus GmbH develops and produces motion plastics. These self-lubricating, high-performance polymers improve technology and reduce costs wherever things move. In energy supplies, highly flexible cables, plain and linear bearings, and lead screw technology made of tribo-polymers, igus is the worldwide market leader. The family-run company based in Cologne, Germany, is represented in 35 countries and employs 4,900 people across the globe. In 2021, igus generated a turnover of €961 million. Research in the industry's largest test laboratories constantly yields innovations and more user security. Two hundred thirty-four thousand articles are available from stock, and service life can be calculated online. In recent years, the company has expanded by creating internal startups, for example, ball bearings, robot drives, 3D printing, the RBTX platform for Lean Robotics, and intelligent "smart plastics" for Industry 4.0. Among the most significant environmental investments are the "chainge" program – recycling used e-chains and participating in an enterprise that produces oil from plastic waste.