Reducing friction and wear on canal boats is essential for reliability and minimising maintenance on an industrial scale, but often these benefits can be applied to smaller, individual cases.
A recent canal boat application has demonstrated how
igus tribo-tape can provide a simple and effective solution for protecting surfaces and improving the performance of moving components. Boat owners, Debbie and Chris Allen, were searching for a maintenance-free solution that would improve reliability and prevent wear on their narrowboat sliding hatch.
Mrs Allen said: “The hatch was dragging whilst opening, we were using WD40 to help it glide but this leaves a residue if you happen to touch it, so we were researching options that would do the job without lubricants. We found igus had the solution to our problem. We have been extremely happy with the tape and it works well.”
Designed as a self-lubricating and low-friction liner, tribo-tape can be applied directly to existing surfaces, creating a durable plain bearing surface without the need for additional lubrication. While often used for large scale industrial applications, it can be used to reduce wear anywhere. In this case, the material helped reduce wear and support smoother operation in an environment regularly exposed to moisture, dirt and changing weather conditions.
Manufactured from igus high-performance polymers, tribo-tape offers excellent wear resistance while helping to eliminate the maintenance associated with traditional lubricants. Its ease of installation also makes it an attractive option for both new builds and retrofit projects.