PTFE Bearing Pads

PTFE Bearing Pads

PTFE bearing pads are used in structural PTFE slide bearing assemblies to allow deflection created by rotational loads.

A PTFE bearing pad is required in a PTFE slide plate  assembly when long span rotation occurs.  PTFE expansion bearings benefit from the attributes of both the PTFE sliding surface and the elastomeric bearing pad material.  The bearing pad material can be plain or reinforced, however must be capable of supporting the compressive load while providing adequate shear stiffness to overcome the PTFE friction resistance.  The PTFE bearing pads can be made with plain neoprene, cotton duck (CDP) or random oriented fiber (ROF) type bearing pads. 

The type of bearing pad used is determined by the expected deformation/deflection created by the rotation in the connection.  The thickness of the PTFE bearing pad is a function of the rotational loading and support span resulting in an acceptable edge stress on the material. 

Bearing pads also help to reduce wear on the PTFE sliding surface.  Using filled or reinforced PTFE can help to improve wear resistance, however filled PTFE has a higher coefficient of friction.  The type of PTFE (virgin or filled) used in a PTFE slide bearing pad must consider the required coefficient of friction as well as the potential wear in the application.