Vesconite Hilube Sheet Rod Tube

Vesconite Hilube is our flagship bearing material, designed for particularly difficult operating environments. Vesconite Hilube is specifically recommended for moist and underwater applications. These include the pump and marine industry, where regular maintenance is not practically feasible or cost-effective. Displaying superior wear life, especially in poorly lubricated and dirty conditions, Vesconite Hilube has been shown to offer up to ten times the life of bronze bushings.

Vesconite Hilube incorporates an internal lubricant that translates into an exceptionally low friction coefficient. Combined with excellent dimensional stability, low wear rates and a high load-bearing capacity. Vesconite Hilube has a PV rating (pressure x velocity) four times that of nylon bushings.

Vesconite is available in a wide range of rods, bushings, plates, and machined custom parts.

KEY FEATURES

No water swell

Fully saturated, Vesconite Hilube has a negligible moisture absorption rate (0.5%). Its linear swell rate of 0.07% allows for fine clearances in the majority of applications. By way of contrast, nylons absorb moisture by as much as 9% of total mass – resulting in high swell rates and critical loss of clearance, which can lead to seizures.

Superior performance

Vesconite Hilube overcomes the limitations of conventional bearing materials.  Its load-bearing capacity is higher than white metal, its wear life in poorly lubricated or dirty conditions more than ten-fold that of bronze. Its self- lubricating properties are far superior to nylon, and unlike nylon-based materials, Vesconite Hilube does not swell in water or humid conditions.

Extended wear life

Vesconite grew out of an identified industry need to reduce maintenance and downtime across a multitude of applications. The resultant product was a huge improvement on conventional nylon, bronze and white metal. Vesconite Hilube takes this a technological step further, offering up to five times the wear life of Vesconite in many applications and superior performance under water.

Low friction

Vesconite Hilube’s friction coefficient (0.08 – 0.12) is approximately half that of bronze and nylon. This allows for a higher PV factor (load x speed). Adding external lubrication or water to the equation will lower friction even further, and the resultant PV factor.

High load-bearing strength

Vesconite Hilube has a much higher load capacity compared to nylon, rubber and elastomer bearings. Unlike nylon, Vesconite Hilube maintains its strength under wet conditions and shows very little creep under heavy load. It has proved particularly superior in higher load applications.

Dimensional stability

An issue common to most synthetic bearing materials, Vesconite Hilube’s coefficient of thermal expansion is comparatively low – approximately one third less than nylon and Acetal. but four times that of bronze. As such, Vesconite Hilube requires slightly more clearance when replacing metal parts. No allowance is required for moisture changes – an important benefit, as the most common reason for polymer bearing failure is thermal expansion and water swell.

Temperature limits

Vesconite Hilube may be used continuously at 100ºC  (212ºF) in dry applications, and for short periods at higher temperatures. Load limits should be reduced by half when operating above 80ºC (176ºF).      

Shaft friendly

The wear of metal pins and shafts is reduced by as much as 90% when Vesconite Hilube bushings are used. An extremely valuable benefit in terms of cost-saving and maintenance downtime.

Chemical resistance

Vesconite Hilube is resistant to dilute and moderate acids, organic solvents, oils and petroleum. It has limited resistance to strong acids and alkalis.