The Industrial sector makes up hundreds of thousands of American jobs.
Every day they use tools and machinery that experience immense pressure and industrial friction. To help manage possible damage, they require specialized resources.
One of the key ways to prevent damage is to use flexible low friction material.
If you’re a professional working in manufacturing or another industry in the industrial sector, then keep reading. In this article, we’re going to breakdown different types of low friction materials.
First Up: Green Gripper Woven
Green Gripper Woven or GGW is the Holy Grail of anti-friction materials.
Known for its impressive wear rate, this non-asbestos blend material is perfect for high friction environments. What makes this material the industry standard is its complete recovery and ability to handle a range of temperatures. It also possesses outstanding fade resistance.
Able to perform in static and uniform frictions, this material is currently used on dry brakes and industrial brake linings. However, it works with many other industrial tools where medium to high frictions exists.
GGW is a molded friction material available in roll form, flat sheets, or custom shapes.
Gemini Woven (for the Money Minded)
Developed in 2009, Gemini Woven is a more price conservative option of non-friction material. But, you can still expect high-quality results.
Similar to GGW, it’s an asbestos-free material with a low wear rate. It’s resistant to oil, grease, and water, making it the ideal alternative to the premium Green Gripper Woven.
This flexible low friction material is molded and comes in roll form and custom shapes. Common applications include industrial brakes and clutches, mine winches, and elevators. It’s also popular in water-intensive machines such as fishing boats and oil drilling rigs due to its resistance factor.
Gatke Phenolic Bearings
These non-asbestos phenolic bearings are wholly different than the above friction materials.
The way it’s pressed gives it unique strength and long-lasting characteristics. These bearings can withstand the harshest environments. They can survive repeated shocks and blows that would normally destroy plastics and metals. You can use them without lubrication and fear of scoring.
Phenolic bearings are common in the transportation industry for freight and passenger trains. They’re also great for agricultural machinery and work well in the steel industry.
The bearings can be custom made to meet any friction, strength, and size that’s needed.
Low Friction Materials: It Doesn’t Stop Here
The options gone over today are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to low friction material technology. From molded to phenolic to sintered, there’s much to explore. To gain a full scope of what material is best for you, contact a professional.
We hope this article was helpful and provided a better understanding of available friction materials. Here at Kor-Pak, we aim to help and educate others in the industry. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us or check our blog for regular updates!