Many design engineers are under pressure when procuring plain bearings for food machinery, as they increasingly have to take regulatory requirements into account. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently processing a proposal to restrict PFAS, which also includes the widely used PTFE. In parallel, EU Regulation 2024/3190 prohibits the use of bisphenols in food contact materials. Igus is now launching the new iglidur A181PF plain bearing material onto the market, which dispenses with these controversial chemicals.
The new iglidur A181PF plain bearing material completely avoids PTFE and bisphenols, thus offering long-term regulatory security. At igus, PTFE has always played an important role in plain bearings for low friction values and good dry-running properties. The search for an alternative was correspondingly complex. „Developing a plain bearing that works without PTFE meant completely reorienting the tribological properties,“ explains Dr. Magnus Orth, Head of the igus Materials Centre. The task was also complicated by the fact that further requirements arise for applications in food contact: such as high resistance to cleaning and media, as well as stable mechanical properties.
„We tested many material combinations until we found a solution. The new material is based on a combination of alternative solid lubricants and an optimised polymer matrix, which together create a robust, food-grade overall profile.“
Dr. Magnus Orth, Head of the igus Materials Centre
The plain bearing is resistant to shocks, impacts, and edge pressures, operates reliably at temperatures from -50°C to +90°C and, depending on application parameters, achieves a running performance comparable to or even better than the standard PTFE-containing material iglidur A181.
Hygienic benefits and durability
The alternative solid lubricants are finely distributed and integrated into the high-performance plastic iglidur A181PF. They enable low-friction dry running without external lubricants. Thus, plain bearings made of the new material are suitable for use in hygiene-critical food applications, where lubricants pose a contamination risk. The bearings meet the requirements of EU Regulation 10/2011 and FDA for food contact.
Furthermore, the material is free from Bisphenol A, Bisphenol derivatives and their salts, thus also meeting the requirements of EU Regulation 2024/3190 concerning BPA in food contact materials. This makes the material particularly suitable for applications where food may come into direct contact with machine components. It also has very high resistance to cleaning chemicals and low moisture absorption, allowing it to be installed with minimal clearance.
Source: igus
