• Low Frictional Resistance of PTFE: A Benefit in Bridge Bearing Design

    Bridge structures are susceptible to a range of rigorous conditions.  These include: repeated exposure to heavy loads traveling at relatively low speeds, potentially damaging weather elements, daily thermal cycles, and the occasional seismic event. These conditions require bridge bearing designs which can withstand a wide range of factors without compromising the integrity of the structure.

    The ultimate responsibility of the bridge bearing is to allow for the controlled transfer of loads and the energy of movements from the bridge deck to the underlying bridge structures. While there are several general bearing designs available for these purposes, many highway bridges, which must accommodate large amounts of consistent traffic, benefit significantly from the inclusion of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) slide bearings as opposed to those such as roller bearings.

    ptfe-bearingPTFE on Stainless Steel Slip Style Bearing

    One of the most noticeable benefits of PTFE slide bearings in bridge design is the low frictional resistance it offers. PTFE is known for its remarkably low coefficient of friction [F=μN], and when combined with self-lubricating qualities, it becomes quite efficient at resisting those noted rigorous conditions.

    Coefficient of Friction in Relation to PTFE

    Friction is essentially the ratio of resistance between two objects that come in contact with each other. The measurement of this friction, the coefficient of friction (COH), shows the relationship between the two objects. Mathematically one can determine this relationship by applying the following formula:

    F=μN

    Where

    F = frictional force

    μ = coefficient of friction

    N = normal force

    These measurements can vary among same materials when comparing static friction to kinetic friction. When the coefficient is close to a value of zero (0), the friction is minimal. Such is the case with typical PTFE slide bearings. In fact, in terms of the broad availability of various engineering materials, PTFE offers the lowest coefficient of friction at an estimated COH of 0.04 for both kinetic and static friction, compared to a lubricated steel at 0.05 (kinetic) or 0.1 (static).

    Slide bearing designs with PTFE are commonly used with stainless steel plates, and the PTFE is applied in one of two methods.

    1. The PFTE is applied between two flat stainless steel plates at a surface area smaller than that of the steel plates to avoid creep.
    2. The PTFE is applied to curved stainless steel surfaces to accommodate larger rotations (beyond 5 degrees).

    Primary Benefits of PTFE in Bearing Design

    Due to the low coefficient of friction, PTFE offers a significant benefit in bridge bearing design. In what is known as stick-slip action, two objects typically alternate between freely sliding against each other and abruptly sticking to each other. Usually this is the result of a difference in the coefficient of static friction when compared to the coefficient of kinetic friction, as demonstrated in Graphic A. The imbalance between the two causes a jarring effect.

    Friction Differences in COHGraphic A – Slip-Stick Action as the Result of Differences in COH

    However, as previously stated, PTFE is unique in that the COH is minimally different (at typically 0.01 or less) between these two friction forces. In materials that have a greater range of COH between static friction and kinetic friction, more force is required to overcome the resistance, which results in that stick-slip motion. Thus, a significant benefit of PTFE slide bearings is the relative absence of slip-stick action, as shown in Graphic B.

    Absence of Friction in PTFE BearingsGraphic B – Absence of Slip-Stick Action in PTFE Bearings

    Furthermore, slip-stick action usually increases in correlation with COH increasing when the mating surfaces of the bearing become contaminated with debris. In applications of PTFE, however, the COH remains largely unchanged when the jointing between the steel plates becomes exposed to contaminants.

    Additional Benefits of PTFE in Bearing Design

    In addition to the benefits noted regarding resistance of slip-stick action, there are other advantages to choosing PTFE in bridge bearing design. PTFE bearings:

    • Require little to no maintenance. There are no repeated maintenance cycles required once installed.
    • Can handle temperature extremes, both ambient and friction generated, stable between -80ᵒF and 400ᵒF (although design must account for thermal expansion).
    • Are largely unaffected by chemicals. Over time the bearings will not diminish in integrity due to exposure to various acids and solvents which may come in contact with the bearings.
    • Are highly impervious to small particle invasion. Other bearing designs are susceptible to damage or increases in COH in these situations.
    • Prove to be highly resistant to influences of weather extremes.
    • Offer vibration damping to the bridge structure.
    • Are less bulky than other mechanical bridge bear designs.

    Low COH – The Most Significant Offering of PTFE

    One of the most crucial considerations which needs to be made in bridge bearing design is that of the coefficient of friction. PTFE slide bearings are unique in their ability to offer extremely low COH in regards to both the kinetic and static friction levels, thus significantly reducing any stick-slip effect. As more and more bridge designs incorporate steel structures, the additional benefits of PTFE slide bearings become more clearly visible and worthwhile, especially over time.

    International Polymer Solutions Inc. (“iPolymer”) machines fabricates a wide range of PTFE products for the global market.  iPolymer utilizes the unique fluorine-enhanced properties of fluoropolymers like PTFE, PVDF, PFA and PEEK to develop solutions which challenge industry.  Visit us at www.ipolymer.com

     


  • High Purity Polymer Solutions

    iPolymer specializes in high purity polymer solutions for critical applications requiring fluoropolymer devices and fixtures.

    iPolymer manufactures fluid and gas handling products for semiconductor, life science, sanitary and general chemical handling environments utilizing PTFE, PFA, PVDF, PEEK, Polypropylene and other polymers. Standard products includes pneumatic valves, solenoid valves, manual valves, air cylinders, spray guns, fittings & connectors.  Please visit www.ipolymer.com

     

    ips-actuated-ball-valvePTFE Chemical Injection Control Valve – for dispensing or injecting concentrated chemistries into a process at a controlled rate. confab-parts

    Precision Machined PTFE Solutions

    fluid-handling-productsComplete Family of Fluoropolymer Products: ranging from valves, fittings, spray devices to custom manifold solutions.

  • Vacuum Chucking – How and Why?

    When it comes to holding certain materials and shapes, using a vise isn’t always an option, or even the most efficient method. Some materials can be damaged or bowed by a vise, and set-up can be time consuming. On the other hand, using a vacuum chuck allows machining of five out of six full sides of a part; vises only allow exposure of three sides. Using a vacuum chuck also allows you to gain efficiency over using a vice by reducing non-value-added steps in the manufacturing process.

    If you find that using a vise causes problems, a vacuum chuck is an ideal alternative.

    Vacuum chucks are primarily used on non-ferrous materials, such as plastics and engineered polymers, like the ones we use at iPolymer to manufacture our products.

    Despite the common explanation that vacuum chucks operate by sucking parts down, the truth is quite the opposite.

    Effect of Vacuum Chucking During Air Pressure

    In a vacuum chuck, air is pumped from a cavity behind the work piece, and atmospheric pressure provides the holding force. The vacuum produces a hold-down pressure of 14.7 psi (101 kPa) at sea level, decreasing at higher elevations where the atmospheric pressure is lower.

    Did you know that every square inch of our bodies has 14.7 lbs. of air constantly pressing on it when at sea level, and that our bodies have an internal pressure equally “pushing” out? This is why passengers on planes flying at high altitudes can experience swelling in parts of their body due to lower pressures in the cabin. Cabins are typically pressurized to an equivalent of being at 8,000 ft. above sea level. At this altitude, the air pressure is roughly 11 PSI. This is why work-holding with vacuum chucks at higher altitudes will experience a significant drop in holding force. A high-powered vacuum pump operating in outer space would be completely ineffective.

    To sum it up, the atmosphere likes to remain at a constant level, and it is this principle that causes the wind to blow. Air flows from high pressure to low pressure. When objects are tossed around by the wind, they are acting as obstacles to this high-pressure-to-low-pressure flow. So when a vacuum chuck is turned on, the air pressure decreases below the work piece, which causes higher air pressure above the work piece to fill the low-pressure space below it. The work piece becomes an obstacle, which is pressed against the chuck and held tightly in place.