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Plastic ball bearings: Lubrication and maintenance-free

Ball bearings made of plastic compared to metal

Ball bearings replace sliding friction with rolling friction, allowing rotational movement to take place with little resistance. As a rule, they must be lubricated in order to function properly. xiros plastic ball bearings require no additional lubrication, are corrosion-free and operate extremely quietly. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to their metal counterparts. The components, which consist of a tribopolymer mixture, are lightweight, resistant to chemicals and optionally non-magnetic. This ensures safe use in medicine, packaging, food and drive technology and many other industries.
Our xiros ball bearings consist of a mixture of basic plastics, solid lubricants, fibres and filaments. The balls used are usually made of stainless steel, glass or plastic. These are mounted in a cage, which can be made of our own xirodur materials, PA, PP or PEEK.

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The advantages at a glance

Heat-resistant plastic ball bearings

Heat resistant/temperature resistant

Depending on the application, xiros is suitable for very low and very high temperatures. This makes it possible to dispense with expensive speciality lubricants, which are essential for metal ball bearings. Its performance has been tested and confirmed in numerous tests at the xiros test laboratory, even at extremely low temperatures down to -100°C. For applications with high heat loads, we offer heat-resistant ball bearings up to +150°C for long-term use.

Chemical-resistant ball bearings

Resistant to chemicals

The plastics developed by igus enable ball bearings to run perfectly even when in contact with aggressive chemicals. The specified resistance and calculated service life are based on data from our test laboratory.

Our polymer solutions make it possible to dispense with costly special lubricants, which are required for applications that are exposed to aggressive chemicals. This offers considerable advantages over conventional metal ball bearings.

Rustproof ball bearings made of plastic

Virtually rust-free

xiros has a decisive advantage over its metal counterpart: The bearings are extremely corrosion-resistant. Even when used in corrosive environments, they maintain their smooth running properties and long service life - with low maintenance requirements.

Metal ball bearings corrode more quickly, seize up and, in the worst case, cause the machine to fail, which can lead to high maintenance costs.

Lightweight ball bearings made of plastic

Particularly lightweight

Metallic bearings are robust and heavy. xiros ball bearings offer the perfect alternative for a wide range of applications, as they are lightweight, reliable and durable. Plastic ball bearings are frequently used in the automotive and aerospace industries. Wherever light weight is important, xiros comes into play.

FDA-compliant plastic ball bearings

FDA-compliant

Ball bearings made from FDA-compliant plastics are used where components come into contact with food or are used in sterile areas. Thanks to the FDA-approved plastics developed by igus, which do not require any additional lubricants, xiros is ideal for applications in the food, beverage and medical technology sectors.

Non-magnetic ball bearings

Non-magnetic

The non-magnetic plastic ball bearings are the first choice wherever freedom from metal is required. The xiros range includes both pure polymer ball bearings and variants with glass balls, which are ideal for applications where there must be no metal.

Customised ball bearings

Ball bearings made to measure

It cannot and does not always have to be the catalogue part. That's why we offer you the service option of requesting a customised special part that deviates from the DIN standard for your specific application. From the idea to the solution: Endless possibilities thanks to our polymer ball bearings. We will be happy to advise you.

Find out more about our special parts
Ball bearing materials from igus

Materials and substances

Our materials are suitable for a wide range of applications and are characterised by a wide variety of advantages: From cost-effective all-rounders and heat specialists to chemical-resistant materials. Find out more about the ball materials used.



Find out more about the materials
New ball bearing products

New products

We are constantly working on the further development of existing and new products to improve the technology of your application and reduce costs. We launch exciting polymer ball bearing products at every spring and autumn trade fair. Stay up to date at all times here.


New products at a glance

Where are ball bearings used? And what types are there?

It is impossible to imagine mechanical engineering without ball bearings. There are various designs, whereby the dimensions and technical composition of the components depend on the specifications of the industrial application. The most commonly used types are shown below.

Radial deep groove ball bearing according to DIN 625:

This type of ball bearing absorbs radial forces and is used wherever components rotate. In the automotive industry, for example, radial deep groove ball bearings can be found in the chassis, where the ball bearings are used to support and guide the axles. A radial force is always applied when the axle performs a rotary movement.

Angular contact ball bearing according to DIN 628:

This bearing is designed to absorb both radial and axial forces in one direction. Angular contact ball bearings make higher speeds possible and reduce friction for a wide range of loads. Angular contact ball bearings are used in the bicycle industry, the automotive sector or, for example, in lead screws on machine tools.

Self-aligning ball bearing according to DIN 630:

This type of ball bearing is generally used in applications with long shafts. This is due to assembly problems caused by holes in the housing. The axial force plays a role in self-aligning bearings. This must be kept low, as the grooves in the outer ring have limited contact surfaces for rolling elements. It is used in general mechanical engineering.

Thrust bearing according to DIN 711:

Also referred to as an axial deep groove ball bearing, this type is designed to support axial loads. They are available in a single-row or double-row design and are already used in numerous applications in the medical technology or packaging industry.

Here you can see where our polymer ball bearings are successfully used in industry.

Sören Meissner, Krones AG
The smooth running of the ball bearings in the guide rollers is very important for us. In the past, we used metal bearings here. However, these were not light enough, sometimes making the complete roller stop and the label tape would slip over it.

Sören Meissner

Design engineer for labelling technology at Krones AG

Calculate service life

The product range of xiros ball bearings made of plastic is characterised in particular by the wide variety of types and materials. Small ball bearings are used in model making and medical technology, among others. xiros successfully serves a wide range of applications - special parts manufactured according to customer requirements are also part of the product range.

Thanks to extensive testing in the xiros test laboratory, the service life of igus bearings can be accurately predicted even under difficult conditions - even for customised applications.

Get to know the online tools and calculate the service life
Calculate the service life of ball bearings

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I look forward to answering your questions

igus® (Pty) Ltd. +27 11 312 1848Write e-mail

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