PEEK Bearing | Plastic Ball Bearing

PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) bearings are a kind of plastic bearings, which are enhanced by adding carbon fiber, graphite and PTFE as lubricant.(TECAPEEK PVX black)

PEEK bearings have the advantages of high temperature resistance, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, self-lubricating and other characteristics, and compared with metal materials have the advantages of light weight, low noise, etc., PEEK bearings perfectly illustrate the combination of plastic and bearings with high performance.

Applications

PEEK bearings withstand high temperatures (continuous use up to 260°C), are lightweight, and offer high strength, reducing aircraft weight and improving fuel efficiency; resistant to radiation and chemicals, suitable for vacuum or extreme environments.
Fuel system seals, brackets, or bearing cages in aircraft; sliding components in satellite systems requiring high stability.
Advantage: Lighter than metal bearings, reducing vibration and noise.

Resistant to chemical corrosion and high temperatures, ideal for cleanroom environments; low particle release prevents wafer contamination; high precision and stability support high-speed processing.
Sliding bearings or pump components in wafer handling equipment; precision positioning in etching machines.
Advantage: Compatible with vacuum and plasma environments, longer lifespan than traditional materials.

Lightweight design reduces vehicle weight, improving efficiency; withstands high temperatures and vibrations, suitable for engine environments; low friction reduces noise and energy consumption.
Engine piston components, transmission bearings; sliding parts in electric vehicle battery systems.
Advantage: Superior fatigue resistance compared to metal bearings, enhancing speed capability.

Resistant to chlorine and chemical corrosion, self-lubricating for water-lubricated environments; low wear rate extends lifespan.
Water pump bearings, valve components; sliding parts in filtration systems for wastewater treatment.
Advantage: Hydrolysis resistance, ideal for humid environments, reduces contamination.

Resistant to chemicals and corrosion, suitable for high-pressure fluids; self-lubricating, reducing maintenance; high-temperature stability ensures long-term operation.
Bearings and valve seats in chemical pumps; sealing components in high-pressure valves.
Advantage: Reduces leakage risk, withstands 10 MPa loads.

PEEK Bearing Benefits

Dimensional requirements for precision conditions
Lightweight replacement of metal for fiber optic components
High mechanical strength requirements for components
Low fume and toxic gas emissions
Peek bearing strength high load capacity - up to 10 MPa (1500 psi)
Reduces power loss by up to 30%
Higher temperature capability - 482°F (260°C) for long-term use
Operates with challenging lubricants and process fluids
Higher starting load capacity without hydrostatic lift
Resistant to corrosion, especially oil and grease, in high-temperature, heavy-oil environments.
Electrically insulated to prevent damaging currents from reaching the ground through the bearings and housing
Irradiation resistance

General Client Question

Mechanical Properties
Property	Value	Unit	Test Method	Notes/Source
Density	1.31 - 1.45	g/cm³	ISO 1183 / ASTM D792	Unfilled to reinforced variants.
Tensile Strength at Yield/Break	75 - 11,000	MPa / psi	ISO 527 / ASTM D638	Varies by reinforcement; e.g., 75 MPa for HPV grade.
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity	5,900 - 800,000	MPa / psi	ISO 527 / ASTM D638	Higher in reinforced grades.
Elongation at Break	2.5 - 5	%	ISO 527 / ASTM D638	Lower in bearing grades due to fillers.
Flexural Strength	18,000	psi	ASTM D790	For PVX black.
Compressive Strength	16,500 - 67 (at 2% strain)	psi / MPa	ASTM D695 / ISO 604	At 10% strain or specified nominal strain.
Impact Strength (Izod/Notched Charpy)	0.90 / 2.5	ft-lbs/in / kJ/m²	ASTM D256 / ISO 179	Unnotched Charpy: 25 kJ/m².
Rockwell Hardness	M85 - 95	-	ASTM D785 / ISO 2039-2	M or R scale.
Thermal Properties
Property	Value	Unit	Test Method	Notes/Source
Continuous Service Temperature	250 - 260	°C	-	For min. 20,000 hours; short-term up to 310 °C.
Melting Temperature	340 - 633	°C / °F	-	-
Heat Deflection Temperature	195 - 530	°C / °F	ISO 75 / ASTM D648	At 1.8 MPa / 264 psi.
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion	35 - 85 × 10⁻⁶	m/(m·K)	-	Varies by temperature range (23-150 °C and above).
Thermal Conductivity	0.24 - 5.69	W/(K·m) / BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F	-	At 23 °C.

Tribological and Test Data (Bearing-Specific)

Bearing-grade PEEK exhibits low friction and high wear resistance, tested under standards like ASTM D3702. Key data includes:

Coefficient of Friction: 0.18 - 0.20 (static/dynamic at 68 °F).
Wear Rate: 10 × 10⁻¹⁰ in³-min/ft (at 68 °F).
Limiting PV (Pressure-Velocity): Up to 500,000 (at 68 °F) or 7.8 MPa·m/s in dry conditions.
Load Capacity: Up to 10 MPa (1,500 psi), with tests showing endurance at 14.5 MPa in thrust bearings (vs. 9.6 MPa for Babbitt metal).
Power Loss Reduction: Up to 30% savings in high-speed tests with oil lubrication.
Aging and Compatibility Tests: After 1,000 hours in aggressive media (e.g., sour gas at 80 °C, ammonia at 120 °C), flexural strength remains virtually unchanged, with minor impact toughness reduction.
Fracture Strength: In needle roller bearings aged at 180-250 °C, PEEK shows higher fracture strength than polyamide 6.6, with no decrease over 10-200 days.

Other Properties

Water Absorption: 0.02 - 0.30% (24 hrs to saturation at 73 °F / 23 °C).
Flammability: V-0 (UL94).
Surface Resistivity: 1.4 × 10⁵ Ω/square.

These values are indicative and may vary by specific grade or manufacturer. For precise applications, consult original datasheets or conduct custom tests.

Clean up all parts to eliminate any contaminants, since PEEK bearings bear on particles can wear the bearings out.
Take measures such as proper tools to use like bearing installations tools or presses. The direct hammering may damage the races or components; tightly press force to the correct ring (inner on the one hand is shafts, outer on the other hand is housings).
Make certain to keep the alignment with shims or adjustable mounts to avoid misalignment vibration.
Ensure that it clears and fits at right after installation. On thrust bearings, bearings are mounted with the housing washer, the cage and ball assembly and lastly the shaft washer.
Fasten to manufacturer specification by means of a tightening screw by means of a torque wrench; over-tightening can deform PEEK material.
In PEEK-particular applications, the use may require a lessening of lubrication to overcome the low friction.

Completed regularly, maintenance will prolong the life of the bearings especially in harsh conditions where PEEK values its resistance to corrosion.

Program time-based inspections according to conditions being met by engine; increase the frequency in high-heat or high-chemicals environments.
Lubricate correctly; PEEK bearings frequently need very little lubrication and use of compatible lubricants are recommended to prevent over-lubrication which can cause heating.
Check intakes and filters and other parts with vibration, noise, or heat-generated by analysis tools and replace when worn out to prevent breakdowns.
Maintain seals/shields to guard against contamination and keep surrounding clean.
Train operators to be aware of issues to act on early.

Aspect	PEEK Bearings Advantage/Disadvantage	Metal Bearings Advantage/Disadvantage
Wear Resistance	Superior in corrosive, high-temperature, or lubricant-free environments (low friction, self-lubricating)	Better in abrasive conditions, but susceptible to chemical or thermal effects, requires lubrication
Longevity and Service Life	Longer in corrosive/high-temp applications, absorbs shock, reduces failures	Longer in high-load/standard lubricated scenarios, higher hardness
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent, resists acids, bases, solvents, and moisture, no rusting	Prone to rust, needs lubrication or coatings for protection
Temperature Tolerance	Up to 250°C without degradation, good at low temps	Varies; may deform at extremes, needs additional measures
Load-Bearing Capacity	Lower than metals, prone to deformation	Higher hardness and strength, suitable for heavy loads
Maintenance	Low (self-lub, no corrosion)	Higher (requires lubrication)
Other Factors	Lighter weight (up to 80% reduction), low vibration/noise, no lubrication needed	Cost-effective, suitable for general high-load applications

Get In Touch with BW PEEK Bearing

PEEK bearings are highly customizable, with fillers (including carbon fiber, glass fiber, or PTFE) adjusted to suit specific applications to enhance specific properties.

Analysis: Carbon fiber reinforcement (CF30) increases stiffness, strength, and thermal conductivity, while having a lower density than glass fiber-filled materials, making it suitable for high stability requirements. It also offers increased load carrying capacity and reduced creep, making it suitable for aviation and automotive applications.

Other customization options include adding lubricants to reduce friction or adjusting size/shape.

PEEK Bearing | Plastic Ball Bearing