New polymer bearing materials meet the FDA guidelines and EU directive for the food industry

igus recently presented two new polymer plain bearing materials for the food industry.

Plastic plain bearings made of the new “iglidur A160” material are lubricant-free, wear-resistant and resistant to a large number of acids and solvents
Photo by igus GmbH

The innovative high-performance tribo-polymer “iglidur A181” and the new media-resistant low-cost material “iglidur A160” meet both the FDA guidelines and EU directive for the food industry. Thanks to their high abrasion resistance, low humidity absorption and resistance to chemicals, both materials are suitable for applications with direct food contact.

European food standard:
iglidur A181 iglidur A181 is a further development of the high-performance material iglidur A180 from the proven lubricant-free igus range of FDA-conform materials and components (FDA = US Food and Drugs Administration). The material also meets the requirements of EU directive 10/2011, which are even more stringent than the FDA regulation. Thus mechanical engineers and users can safely design or convert new machines and systems. The new bearings permit maximum surface pressure of 25 MPa. In dry run applications, maximum speeds of 0.8 m/s rotating and 3.5 m/s linear are possible during permanent use. The permissible maximum temperature for short periods is 110°C.

Resistant to aggressive chemicals:
iglidur A160 The new low-cost chemical bearing iglidur A160 is resistant to a large number of acids and solvents, thus predestined for applications in the food and packaging industries, where aggressive chemicals are often used for cleaning to ensure high standards of hygiene. Food purity will not be affected even where it is in direct contact with this lubricant-free material which conforms to FDA guidelines and EU directive 10/2011. The new iglidur A160 offers a very good price/performance ratio, whereby it combines low friction values with high wear and chemical resistance. This makes the new low-cost chemical bearing the perfect wear-resistant alternative to slide bushes made of respective media-resistant generic plastics.

Standard-conform designing in the food sector with innovative high-performance plain bearings made of “iglidur A181”. Conform according to EU directive 10/2011 and FDA guidelines
Photo by igus GmbH

Tribologically optimised and intensively tested, the two new products are the latest in the long line of lubricant-free and favourably priced plain bearings in the igus range: 30 years of material research go into every bearing. The new iglidur materials will be available ex stock from June 2013 in 12 standard plain bearing sizes each. On that same basis, the standard range will be continually expanded on in future. Customer-specific special solutions are also possible.

For further information visit: www.igus.de

• CID: 8537, 8537