ELGOGLIDE Brings Significant Enhancements To X-Life Spherical Plain Bearings

ELGOGLIDE(TM), the high performance lining system from INA/FAG, has significantly improved the performance of spherical plain bearings under the company's X-Life quality label for premium products and services. This maintenance-free, low-friction fabric liner offers increases of 50 percent and 67 percent in dynamic and static load ratings respectively, while providing a number of other benefits in bearing applications. The former Helmut Elges GmbH, now part of the INA Group, has been a recognized leader for decades in the field of maintenance-free spherical plain bearings with high load capacity, developing a number of innovative enhancements to improve bearing performance. ELGOGLIDE consists of a fabric made from PTFE and support fibers that are embedded in a resin. The fabric, which is fixed to the steel backing by a high strength bond, forms a high-strengthcomposite. Advantages include excellent wear resistance and the ability to run dry or unlubricated, even with reciprocating motion. Furthermore, the bearings exhibit smooth, low-friction, low-speed running, even after extended periods of inactivity. But load carrying capacity is not all that matters. It is the sliding distance that determines spherical plain bearing life. "We have been able to extend the sliding distance by 25 percent," says Rocco Docimo, Manager of Engineering, FAG. "For a dynamic contact pressure of 300 N/mm² (or 500N/mm2, static), this means a product life up to eight times longer than that supplied by the competition. These are the kinds of improvements and standards that are expected under our X-Life program." Compared to conventional sliding systems, ELGOGLIDE has a lower friction coefficient. Shortly after run-in, a sufficient amount of particles have transferred from the liner to the sliding partner to develop the required sliding film. The spherical plain bearing then operates with excellent wear and friction characteristics - no relubrication or maintenance is required. Rocco Docimo stresses the significant X-Life benefits for customers, with performance data allowing customers to choose smaller and more cost-effective bearing sizes and surrounding construction, or to increase machine utilization. Since the bond between the sliding liner and the support body is absolutely moisture resistant, X-Life large spherical plain bearings are suitable for hydraulic steel structures that are critical with regard to environmental aspects, such as flood gate bearing supports, dams and bridges. In addition, these high-performance plain bearings offer new opportunities for use in structures such as multi-function sports arenas, steel-and-glass building complexes and even such applications as Ferris wheels. X-Life large spherical plain bearings are available with bore sizes from 320 mm (radial) and 220 mm (axial). Additional information about X-Life bearings and ELGOGLIDE(TM) is available at http://www.ina.com/inaupdate/index.asp?l=en