What Is an Oilless Washer?
An oilless washer is a type of sliding bearing designed to handle thrust loads without the need for lubricating oil. These loads, also known as axial loads, are applied parallel to the shaft’s longitudinal direction. Oilless washers facilitate the sliding movement of rotating bodies by providing surface support, crucial in environments where applying grease or lubricating oil is impractical.
By incorporating materials with inherent lubricating properties, oilless washers reduce sliding friction and wear, even in environments devoid of traditional lubrication.
Applications of Oilless Washers
Oilless washers are vital in various sectors, including automotive, food and environmental equipment, transportation, civil engineering, construction, industrial machinery, precision equipment, amusement, sports and leisure, OA and information technology, household products, and living environment systems. They are particularly useful in hygiene-sensitive and vacuum environments where grease or oil lubrication is unfeasible, as ordinary grease would evaporate under vacuum conditions.
Principle of Oilless Washers
Oilless washers contain lubricating components within their material, significantly reducing friction and wear from rotating objects under load. They are categorized into resin-based and metal-based materials, each offering unique advantages:
1. Resin-Based Oilless Washers
These washers use materials like tetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE), often mixed with fillers, polyacetal resin (POM), and PEEK, known for their high engineering value.
2. Metal-Based Oilless Washers
Metal-based washers are available in solid lubricant varieties and sintered oil types, including copper-based and iron-based. Their lubrication efficiency stems from embedded solid lubricants or oil impregnated into sintered pores.
Features of Oilless Washers
Distinctive for their ability to operate without lubrication, oilless washers overcome the frictional heat and seizure risks associated with conventional washers. This attribute, coupled with advances in lubrication and manufacturing technology, has contributed to the widespread adoption of oilless washers, offering high precision and seamless functionality alongside oil-free bushes in various applications.
Other Information about Non-Lubricated Washers
Environmental Performance of Non-Lubricated Washers
Compliance with international environmental regulations is critical in manufacturing non-lubricated washers. The RoHS Directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment to promote recycling, while the ELV Directive limits substances like Cd, Pb, Hg, and Cr+6 in end-of-life vehicles.