New PTFE-free, lubrication-free plain bearing material

igus is currently developing new lubrication-free plain bearing materials without PFAS ingredients such as PTFE. Photo: igus

New igus endurance material, iglidur JPF, is perfect for a wide range of wear-resistant polymer bearings as manufacturers seek to eliminate PFAS and PTFE before a potential ban in 2026. Products such as dental floss, skis, frying pans and plain bearings all rely on organic fluorine compounds, also known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are resistant to water, heat and debris.

However, since the chemicals degrade very slowly, they have a negative reputation and are considered persistent pollutants that may be harmful to the environment. Therefore, polymer specialist igus is developing plain bearing materials such as the new iglidur JPF, which do not require PFAS materials such as PTFE at all.

In February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency published the proposal for a ban on at least 10,000 PFAS materials and the European Commission is expected to decide on the proposal in 2025. PFAS regulation, potentially including a ban, would then come into force in European Union (EU) member states in 2026 at the earliest.

Low-friction and dry running
If it happens, a ban would have far-reaching consequences for industry, as well as the consumer sector, as many every day products use PFAS. Many industrial companies — including igus — are already preparing for stricter PFAS regulations, because PFAS, especially the popular fluoropolymer PTFE (a sub group of PFAS), is used in igus motion plastics which are low-friction and dry running, making the use of lubricants — that can be costly and cause environmental damage — superfluous.

Rob Dumayne, drytech product director at igus UK, said: “At the beginning of the discussion about a possible ban on PFAS, we invested in the research and development of alternative materials. With substantial material development and compounding resources, we can react quickly to changes and develop new solutions.”

The result is, among other things, iglidur JPF. This new material was developed from the tried-and-tested long life material iglidur J. The new iglidur JPF plain bearing is lubrication-free, wear-resistant and has similar friction and wear coefficients to iglidur J, revealed in tests in igus’ huge test laboratory.

Mr Dumayne concluded: “Customers who rely on iglidur J in their machines and systems can now get an equivalent PTFE-free alternative. Our goal is to be able to offer our standard materials with no PTFE at all. igus is currently in the process of making our formulations for iglidur X and iglidur W300 PTFE-free. Early test results are already very promising.”