PTFE and PEEK Bearings: Key Support for Industrial Applications

I. Material Properties of PTFE and PEEK Bearings
(I) Material Properties of PTFE
PTFE is a high molecular polymer with a highly symmetrical molecular structure. Fluorine atoms tightly surround carbon atoms, which gives it many excellent properties. In terms of chemical stability, PTFE can resist the erosion of almost all strong acids, strong alkalis, salt solutions and organic solvents. In chemical production, many chemical reactions will produce highly corrosive intermediates or by-products. PTFE can remain stable in such an environment and will not be corroded. Its low friction coefficient makes it have extremely low resistance during sliding. In the manufacture of electronic equipment, it can effectively reduce the friction loss between components and improve the smoothness of equipment operation. PTFE also has excellent high and low temperature resistance, and can maintain good physical properties in a very wide temperature range. It can function normally in both high-temperature chemical reaction environments and low-temperature special storage environments. In addition, PTFE is self-lubricating and can achieve good lubrication without additional lubricants. This feature has important application value in industries with high cleanliness requirements such as food processing and electronic equipment.
(II) PEEK material characteristics
PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic special engineering plastic with semi-crystalline properties. Its molecular main chain is composed of alternating benzene rings and ether bonds, which determines its unique performance characteristics. In terms of mechanical properties, PEEK has high strength and high rigidity, and can withstand large loads without deformation, which makes it suitable for fields such as aerospace and automobile engines that require extremely high component strength. Excellent wear resistance allows PEEK to maintain a long service life under conditions of high-speed operation, frequent start-stop and particle wear. High temperature resistance is also a major advantage of PEEK. It can be used stably for a long time at high temperatures and is widely used in high temperature and high pressure environments such as petrochemicals. At the same time, PEEK has good chemical stability. Although it is slightly inferior to PTFE, it can also withstand erosion by a variety of chemical media and performs well in common acid and alkali environments. In addition, PEEK also has excellent electrical insulation, which is suitable for the manufacture of equipment parts that require electrical insulation, such as electronic equipment and motors.
2. Application of PTFE bearings in the field of chemical and electronic equipment manufacturing
(I) Application in the chemical industry
The chemical production process is complex, with a large number of corrosive media and high temperature environments. PTFE bearings can work stably for a long time in extremely corrosive media such as strong acids and strong alkalis due to their excellent chemical stability. In pipeline valves, PTFE Bearings can effectively resist the corrosion of the medium, ensure the normal opening and closing of the valve, and maintain the continuity of the chemical production process. Reactor agitators are used to mix various reactants in chemical production. Their working environment is harsh, not only with high temperatures, but also with strong corrosive substances. The high and low temperature resistance and chemical stability of PTFE bearings enable them to adapt to such complex working conditions, ensure the stable operation of the agitator, and thus improve the safety of chemical production. The use of PTFE bearings can also reduce equipment maintenance costs, reduce equipment downtime and maintenance time caused by bearing damage, and improve production efficiency.
(II) Application in the field of electronic equipment manufacturing
Electronic equipment manufacturing has extremely high requirements for component precision and performance. The low friction coefficient of PTFE bearings plays a key role in the wafer transfer system of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The wafer transfer process requires high-precision motion control. PTFE bearings can reduce the friction during the transfer process, so that the wafer can be smoothly and accurately transferred to the specified position, avoiding position deviation caused by friction, thereby improving the production quality of electronic products. In the sliding guides of the electronic assembly line, PTFE bearings also help to achieve high-precision motion control due to their low friction characteristics, reducing vibration and noise during equipment operation. Stable operating conditions can reduce the risk of damage to electronic components caused by factors such as vibration during the assembly process, and ensure the performance stability of electronic equipment.
III. Application of PEEK bearings in other key areas
(I) Aerospace field
The operating environment of aerospace equipment is complex and extreme, and the performance requirements of components are extremely demanding. The high strength and high rigidity of PEEK bearings enable them to withstand the huge centrifugal force and mechanical stress generated by key parts such as aircraft engines under high load and high speed, ensuring the reliable operation of the engine. In the aircraft landing gear system, the landing gear needs to frequently withstand the huge impact force during take-off and landing. The excellent wear resistance and impact resistance of PEEK bearings enable it to adapt to such frequent impact loads, ensure the normal operation of the landing gear, and improve the safety and reliability of the aircraft.
(II) Automobile industry
In automobile engines, the valve transmission mechanism works at high temperatures and high loads. PEEK bearings can maintain good performance in such high temperature and high load environments, effectively reduce energy consumption and noise during engine operation, and improve engine efficiency and stability. In the electric power steering system of automobiles, the steering control accuracy requirements are high. The high precision and low friction characteristics of PEEK bearings help to achieve precise steering control and improve driving comfort and safety.
(III) Industrial automation equipment field
Industrial automation production lines and robot joints and other equipment require frequent, fast and precise movements. The excellent wear resistance and high precision of PEEK bearings can ensure that the equipment maintains stable performance during long-term and high-frequency movements. In the joints of industrial robots, PEEK bearings can achieve flexible and precise motion control, ensuring the accuracy and stability of the robots when performing various complex tasks, and improving the automation level and production efficiency of industrial production.