Self-lubricating bearings work by having lubricant impregnated within the sliding layer of the bearing. This lubricant can either be liquid (oil) or solid (graphite, MoS2, lead) based on the requirements of the application (such as operating temperature). As the bearing operates, the lubricant is released through pores in the sliding layer, lubricating the bearing surface. The lubricant is uniformly dispersed throughout the sliding layer and thus there is no reduction in low friction bearing performance, even if the sliding layer becomes worn. A “running-in” surface is also usually included at the top of the sliding layer to provide low friction bearing performance at start up before the impregnated lubricant reaches the bearing surface.

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GGB's Engineered Plastic Polymer bearings provide excellent wear resistance and low friction in both dry and lubricated operating conditions over a wide range of applications. Engineered plastic bearings are made from thermoplastic bearing material processed by injection moulding. This production method enables us to produce unlimited dimensions in accordance to our standard, and also parts with special designs and features.

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Self-lubricating bearings, as the name suggests, provide their own lubrication during operation without requiring application of grease or oil lubricants.

GGB has been putting the world in motion for over 120 years with industry-leading tribological bearings, coatings and assemblies. From Polymer Coatings and Metal-Polymer bearings to Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings and self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies, our solutions are specifically designed to reduce friction and optimize performance and durability.

Bimetal and metal bearings offer excellent corrosion resistance in industrial outdoor applications and in water, marine and offshore environments. GGB offers a broad range of sizes, forms and materials in monometallic and bimetallic bearings.

GGB’s TriboU is intended to provide the ​working engineer, who may or may not be a ​user of GGB’s surface engineered solutions, to ​understand and implement basic tribological ​concepts in the design, manufacture and ​use of industrial equipment.

Bearing lubrication chart

Engineered as a solution to conquer misalignment reduction when high demands are placed on bearings, GGB's UNI, MINI and EXALIGN® self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies offer improved equipment performance under standard bearing assemblies by reducing stress and friction. Offering superior performance in a wide variety of applications, GGB's self-aligning assemblies are available in both standard and custom configurations.

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Due to this, self-lubricating bearings are also referred to as maintenance-free or greaseless bearings as they require no relubrication or grease. An example of a self-lubricating bearing is our GGB-CSM® greaseless bearing.

GGB's Fiber Reinforced Composite products typically consists of a filament-wound, fiberglass-impregnated, epoxy backing with a variety of low-friction wear-resistant bearing linings. These self-lubricating fiber reinforced composite bearings are particularly effective in applications where the relative motion is not sufficient to promote circulation of the oil or grease used with more conventional bearings. GGB Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings are available as bushes, plates, bearing segments and special forms, depending on the particular material type.

At GGB, we aren’t afraid to take risks for our customers. We are passionate about the work we do and believe that same passion contributes to the level of innovation that can enhance human potential. We take pride in working closely with customers in the early stage of a design to think broadly and boldly, and to expand beyond traditional surface engineered solutions. We offer reliable partnerships based on trust, compassion, determination, collaboration and respect.

GGB's diverse polymer coating solutions encompass some of the most state-of-the-art coating technologies available. Our TriboShield®  product line includes seven standard formulations that cover the full spectrum of mechanical, thermal and chemical capabilities offered by today's coating materials. They can also be applied to nearly any surface, regardless of shape or material, making their potential almost endless. And when it comes to working with and enhancing the performance of your existing bearing and polymer coatings solutions, our TriboMate product line is specifically designed to be paired up— all leading to enhanced performance.

GGB tribological solutions move the industrial world one step closer to the future. Our products are used in tens of thousands of critical applications every day—around the planet. Our goal is to provide reliable, maintenance-free surface solutions for almost any application—no matter where those demands take our products.

Self-lubricating bearings eliminate the need for maintenance, lowering labor costs, and increase the service life of aerospace applications. An amazing example of the versatility of self-lubricating bearings in the aerospace industry is the use of DU® anti friction bearings in NASA’s Curiosity rover, which has been exploring the red planet since 2012.

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Types of lubrication in bearing

The excellent low friction and high wear resistance performance of GGB metal-polymer bearings make them ideal for hundreds of applications in numerous and diverse industries. Depending upon application requirements, metal-polymer composite bearings can be produced in many shapes and sizes.

Tribology is the science of wear, friction and lubrication, and encompasses how interacting surfaces and other tribo-elements behave in relative motion in natural and artificial systems. This includes bearing design and lubrication.

GGB seeks out collaborative, long-term relationships with each one of our customers. Our diverse expertise gives us a deep understanding of the challenges you face.  When you partner with us early, our GGB engineering team is able to review your assemblies and make sure both the bearing and surrounding components are optimized for performance and cost-effectiveness.

An important distinction to make is that self-lubricating bearings are not bearings that come pre-applied with grease or oil lubricant – these bearings are instead referred to as prelubricated bearings. Prelubricated bearings will require relubrication at some point in their service life. An example of a prelubricated bearing is our DX® low friction bearing which is marginally lubricated with grease.

The aerospace industry requires low friction bearings with excellent wear resistance to help reduce labor costs. Additionally, many areas of an aircraft are difficult to access for service and thus benefit from components with long service lives, namely self-lubricating bearings.