Igus operates the world's largest test laboratory for plastics in moving applications in Cologne. Over 12,000 tribological tests alone are carried out by the motion plastics specialist every year. These include tests that examine the use of a wide variety of materials in the most diverse environments in real-life tests. This time: Xiros flanged ball bearings and metal bearings in salt water.

The engineers at the test laboratory filled a container with sea salt water and heated it to 80 degrees Celsius. Two bearings were then placed in it for 120 hours: A classic two-hole flange bearing made of metal and a Xiros flange bearing made of Xirodur B180 - a high-performance plastic that Igus has optimized over the years in terms of wear and media resistance. Both bearings were not completely covered in the test, but were in contact with air to trigger the corrosion effect.

Clear winner

After just a few hours, the metal bearing began to corrode. At the end of the test, clear traces of rust were visible on all bearing components. The plastic bearing was different. Even after 120 hours, the Xiros flanged ball bearing was unimpressed by the aggressive salt water and high temperatures. No change in color, no trace of rust. A clear advantage, especially for clean room applications and applications in food and medical technology, where rust poses a hygiene risk.

Xiros ball bearings generally consist of four components: the inner and outer rings, the plastic cages and the stainless steel or glass balls. Unlike metal bearings, the wear-resistant polymer bearings enable particularly smooth and hygienic dry running without a single drop of lubricating oil and are maintenance-free. Their long service life can be easily calculated online. The plastic bearings are also electrically insulating, temperature-resistant from minus 40 to plus 80 degrees Celsius, non-magnetic, 60 percent lighter and up to 40 percent cheaper than comparable metal bearings. They are suitable for supporting medium loads and have been used reliably by users all over the world for years - including in conveyor belts, labeling, conveying and packaging machines as well as in filling systems. as