Bearings made from high-performance plastics are used across numerous industries—especially in environments where extreme conditions exist or traditional metal bearings reach their limits. They offer a wide range of advantages over metallic alternatives.

Typical application areas include:

• Aumotive industry: chassis and steering components, transmissions, e-mobility
• Mechanical engineering & industrial applications: textile and packaging machines, robotics, conveyor systems
• Aerospace: sliding bearings for moving parts under extreme conditions
• Food & pharmaceutical industries: lubricant-free bearings for hygiene-critical applications
• Agricultural & construction machinery: heavy-duty bearings for extreme environmental conditions

Key properties:

• Excellent sliding and emergency running characteristics: ideal for dry or unlubricated operation
• Low friction and high wear resistance: ensures long service life
• Corrosion resistance: ideal for humid, chemical, or aggressive environments
• Lightweight: up to 80% lighter than metal bearings
• Vibration and noise damping: reduces noise and vibration during operation
• Wide temperature resistance: depending on material, suitable from -200 °C to over +260 °C
• Chemical resistance: unaffected by oils, greases, or solvents
• Electrical insulation: prevents unwanted current transfer

Thanks to these characteristics, high-performance plastic bearings are a powerful and cost-effective alternative to traditional metal bearings in demanding applications.

GAPI has successfully used bearings made from the high-performance material PAI GLon™ T43 (formerly Torlon® 4301 PAI) in viscous dampers for many years.

Due to the exceptional mechanical properties of this material, the bearings ensure high load capacity, low friction, and outstanding wear resistance—even under extreme conditions such as elevated temperatures.