Best plastics for bearings
Self-lubricating bearings avoid grease contamination and simplify maintenance. PTFE-filled acetal (POM), PEEK-PTFE, UHMWPE and cast Nylon (PA6-cast) with MoS₂ dominate. PV limit, mating hardness and clearance define the design envelope.
What to look for
- Low coefficient of friction against steel (dry)
- High PV limit at the operating speed and load
- Dimensional stability under load and moisture
- Compatible with the mating shaft hardness (typically ≥ 40 HRC)
Top materials for best plastics for bearings
- #1PA66Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon)
A tough, wear-resistant nylon widely used for gears, bushings, and under-the-hood automotive parts.
- #2PEEKPolyether Ether Ketone
A semi-crystalline high-performance polymer with outstanding thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.
- #3POM (Delrin)Polyoxymethylene
A stiff, low-friction acetal polymer engineered for precision gears and mechanical parts.
- #4PA610 Low AbsorptionPolyamide 610 Low Absorption
Lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66, good chemical and dimensional stability.
- #5POM HomopolymerPolyoxymethylene Homopolymer
High stiffness, strength, excellent fatigue resistance and low friction.
- #6POM CopolymerPolyoxymethylene Copolymer
Good chemical resistance, fatigue strength, and creep resistance.
- #7Glass-Filled PA11Polyamide 11, Glass Fiber Reinforced
Good balance of stiffness, toughness, and dimensional stability.
- #8Impact Modified Acetal HomopolymerPolyoxymethylene Homopolymer, Impact Modified
High stiffness combined with improved impact strength.
- #9Impact Modified Acetal CopolymerPolyoxymethylene Copolymer, Impact Modified
Good impact strength and chemical resistance.
- #10UHMWPE Bearing GradeUltra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Bearing Grade
Exceptional wear resistance and low friction for demanding mechanical applications.
- #11General Purpose Styrene-Butadiene RubberStyrene-Butadiene Rubber (General Purpose)
A cost-effective synthetic rubber offering good abrasion resistance and aging properties, commonly used in tires.
- #12Extreme Chemical and Temperature Perfluoroelastomer (Kalrez)Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM - Kalrez family)
An elastomer offering the highest level of chemical resistance and thermal stability, approaching that of PTFE.
- #13Tough Abrasion-Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Polyester)Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) - Polyester type
A highly versatile thermoplastic elastomer offering excellent abrasion resistance, toughness, and flexibility.
- #14General Purpose Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene TPEStyrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) block copolymer
An unsaturated thermoplastic elastomer commonly used in adhesives, asphalt modification, and footwear.
- #15Flexible Durable Copolyester Ether (Hytrel)Copolyester Ether (COPE - Hytrel family)
A thermoplastic elastomer combining the flexibility of rubber with the processability of thermoplastics and excellent fatigue resistance.
- #16Lightweight Flexible Polyamide Elastomer (Pebax)Polyamide Elastomer (TPA - Pebax® family)
A lightweight thermoplastic elastomer based on polyether-block-polyamide, offering exceptional flexibility and energy return.
- #17Durable Tough Cast PolyurethaneCast Polyurethane (PU) elastomer
A high-performance elastomer processed by casting liquid components, offering exceptional toughness, abrasion resistance, and load-bearing capacity.
- #18Abrasion Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane for FootwearThermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) - Abrasion Resistant Grade for Footwear
A TPU grade specifically formulated for high abrasion resistance and durability in footwear soles and components.
- #19High Temperature Thermoset PolyimideThermoset Polyimide Resin
Exceptional thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance at high temperatures.
- #20Flexible Cast PolyurethaneCast Polyurethane
Tough, abrasion-resistant, and flexible material for seals, wheels, and coatings.