By PYC Bearings
©2004-2008
If your bearing application limits don't exceed a 12,000 psi-fpm pressure-velocity value and 180¡ãF temperature, a lubricant-impregnated hardwood sleeve bearing may serve you well - perhaps better than a metal or plastic bearing.
Hardwood bearings with impregnated lubricant could bring solutions to many of your bearing design and maintenance problems. The basic material is a specially selected, close-grained, dried, dense hardwood. The basic wood is impregnated with a blend of fluid lubricants. The material can then be machined into a variety of shapes and sizes for bearings and other wear-reducing components. The finished "wood" bearing is, in fact, up to 40% lubricant by weight.
POBCO-B bearings are made from close-grained, dried, dense hardwoods that are specially selected. The wood is then 100 percent impregnated with a blend of nontoxic lubricants. POBCO-B bearings are machined into any shape and size from this material with tolerances as close as ¡À.002. In operation, the lifetime lubricant is drawn to the working surface and eliminates excessive heat produced by friction. When not in motion, the lubricant is reabsorbed into the bearing.
The self-lubricating wood bearings are unaffected by corrosive materials, are resistant to abrasion, can operate in wet conditions and will not contaminate. They contain no toxic materials. POBCO-B bearings are not adversely affected by water, mild acids and alkalis, and most caustic chemicals, such as sulfuric acid. Hence they are widely used in contact with or immersed in substances of this nature. POBCO-B bearings are among the quietest in service today.
POBCO-B bearings operate well in abrasive conditions. The few gritty, dirty particles that reach the bearing surface become embedded in the bearing structure without adversely affecting the bearings' performance.
Most POBCO-B bearings are machined with the grain perpendicular to the axis of the bearing (cross grain) to take advantage of the strength of the wood and to afford superior lubrication to the bearing and shaft surface.