Overview
PEEK self-lubricating bushings are precision-machined plain bearings that support rotating, oscillating, or sliding shafts without the need for grease or oil. Manufactured from polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and its modified grades, these bushings combine high strength and stiffness with inherent lubricity, thermal stability, and outstanding chemical resistance. Because PEEK maintains a low coefficient of friction against steel and other shaft materials, it provides reliable dry-running performance in applications where lubrication is impractical, contamination is unacceptable, or maintenance access is limited. OrroMFG produces PEEK self-lubricating bushings using precision CNC turning and milling, delivering accurate bore dimensions, concentricity, and surface finish for consistent bearing performance.
PEEK self-lubricating bushings are chosen where metal bearings fail due to corrosion, high temperature, chemical attack, or lubrication constraints. Their low moisture absorption and excellent creep resistance preserve bore geometry and clearance under sustained load, while their high continuous service temperature of up to 260°C (500°F) exceeds that of POM, nylon, or PTFE-based bushings. PEEK also generates very few particles and resists a broad range of solvents, acids, and process fluids, making these bushings suitable for semiconductor, medical, and chemical processing equipment. OrroMFG offers virgin PEEK for maximum chemical and purity performance, carbon-filled grades for higher strength, stiffness, and thermal conductivity, PTFE-blended grades for the lowest friction and wear, and glass-filled grades for added load capacity. Each bushing is machined to tight tolerances to ensure smooth shaft rotation, minimal wear, and long service life.
Key Features
- Inherent Self-Lubrication: Low friction against steel and other shafts enables reliable dry-running operation without grease or oil.
- High Temperature Resistance: Continuous service up to 260°C (500°F), well beyond the limits of POM, nylon, and PTFE bushings.
- Excellent Chemical Resistance: Withstands most acids, bases, solvents, and process fluids without swelling or degradation.
- High Strength and Wear Resistance: Withstands sustained radial loads and sliding wear for long service life.
- Dimensional Stability: Low moisture absorption and excellent creep resistance maintain bore clearance under load and humidity.
- Low Particle Generation and Vacuum Compatibility: Clean, low-outgassing performance suits semiconductor, medical, and vacuum equipment.
Material Specifications
| Property | Virgin PEEK | 30% Carbon-Filled PEEK | 30% Glass-Filled PEEK | PEEK + PTFE Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.30 - 1.32 | 1.40 - 1.45 | 1.50 - 1.55 | 1.35 - 1.45 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 90 - 100 | 130 - 150 | 120 - 140 | 70 - 85 |
| Tensile Modulus (GPa) | 3.6 - 4.0 | 7.5 - 9.0 | 7.0 - 8.5 | 3.0 - 3.5 |
| Flexural Strength (MPa) | 150 - 170 | 220 - 250 | 200 - 230 | 110 - 130 |
| Compressive Strength (MPa) | 120 - 130 | 180 - 210 | 170 - 200 | 95 - 110 |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 150 - 160 | 240 - 260 | 230 - 250 | 140 - 155 |
| Continuous Service Temp (°C) | 260 | 260 | 260 | 240 |
| Hardness (Rockwell M) | 80 - 90 | 95 - 105 | 90 - 100 | 70 - 80 |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.25 - 0.35 | 0.18 - 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.35 | 0.10 - 0.18 |
| Limiting PV (MPa·m/s, dry) | 0.15 - 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.40 | 0.20 - 0.35 | 0.30 - 0.50 |
| Water Absorption (24h, %) | 0.1 - 0.2 | 0.05 - 0.15 | 0.1 - 0.2 | 0.08 - 0.15 |
Applications
Semiconductor Manufacturing
PEEK self-lubricating bushings are used in wafer handling robots, vacuum transport modules, spin coaters, and chemical mechanical planarization equipment. Their low particle generation, chemical resistance, and vacuum compatibility support clean, high-purity processes, and carbon-filled grades provide ESD protection for sensitive wafer handling.
Chemical Processing
In chemical processing, these bushings support pumps, agitators, valves, and mixing equipment exposed to aggressive fluids. PEEK resists most acids, bases, and solvents without swelling or leaching, providing reliable bearing support where metal bushings would corrode and where lubricants would contaminate the process stream.
Industrial Automation
PEEK bushings serve in linear actuators, pivots, and sliding mechanisms of automated equipment where lubrication-free operation and long service life are required. Their low friction and dimensional stability maintain accurate motion and minimal clearance over millions of cycles, reducing maintenance in hard-to-access assemblies.
Medical Devices
Medical applications include surgical instruments, laboratory analyzers, infusion devices, and imaging equipment. Medical-grade PEEK is biocompatible and withstands autoclave and gamma sterilization, while its self-lubricating behavior eliminates the contamination risk of greased bearings in sterile environments.
Aerospace
Aerospace bushings support flight control linkages, actuator mechanisms, and cabin systems where weight, reliability, and wide temperature tolerance are critical. PEEK’s strength-to-weight ratio, chemical resistance, and low outgassing meet demanding airborne requirements, including non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant behavior.
Operating Conditions
- Temperature Range: -40°C to +260°C (-40°F to +500°F) continuous service; cryogenic grades function down to -196°C
- Load and PV Limits: Suitable for medium radial loads and dry PV values up to 0.4 MPa·m/s depending on grade; higher with intermittent operation
- Speed: Effective in slow-to-moderate rotation and oscillation; performance improves with reduced surface speed under high load
- Lubrication Compatibility: Self-lubricating and normally run dry; compatible with greases and oils where added cooling or life is desired
- Chemical Compatibility: Resistant to most solvents, acids, bases, fuels, and hydraulic fluids; not recommended for concentrated hydrofluoric acid or hot concentrated nitric acid
- Vacuum Compatibility: Low outgassing suits high-vacuum and ultra-high-vacuum process equipment
- Radiation Resistance: Good resistance to gamma and X-ray radiation for medical and nuclear applications
- Media and Sterilization: Withstands steam autoclave, gamma, and ethylene oxide sterilization without significant property loss
Material Comparison
| Material | Strength | Temp Range | Wear Resistance | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEEK | Excellent | -40 to +260°C | Excellent | Very High | High-temp, chemical, high-load, cleanroom bushings |
| POM (Acetal) | Good | -40 to +90°C | Very Good | Low-Medium | Cost-sensitive, moderate-temperature dry bushings |
| Nylon PA66 | Good | -40 to +120°C | Good | Low | General industrial bushings, low load, low cost |
| PTFE (Virgin) | Low | -200 to +260°C | Fair | High | Lowest friction, soft bearing surfaces, low load |
| Bronze (Oil-Impregnated) | High | -40 to +150°C | Very Good | Medium | High-load, lubricated industrial bearings |
Choose PEEK self-lubricating bushings when:
- High operating temperatures exceed the limits of POM, nylon, or bronze
- Chemical or solvent resistance is required in the bearing environment
- Lubrication-free, clean operation is essential for semiconductor or medical use
- High load capacity and wear resistance are needed in a polymer bushing
- Dimensional stability and low creep must be maintained under sustained load
- Low outgassing, low particle generation, or sterilization compatibility is required
Customization Options
- Material Grades: Virgin PEEK, 10-40% carbon-filled, 10-40% glass-filled, PTFE-blended, medical-grade PEEK, ESD/conductive PEEK, and low-outgassing aerospace grades
- Bushing Types: Plain cylindrical, flanged, shouldered, thrust-collar, and split (slotted) bushings
- Size Range: Bore diameters from 3 mm to 300 mm; custom sizes and wall thicknesses available
- Bore Configurations: Plain, grooved, and pocketed bores for lubrication retention or debris management
- Flange and Shoulder Designs: Custom flange diameters, thicknesses, and shoulder geometry for axial location
- Tolerance Grades: Machined to IT6-IT8 bore tolerances with controlled concentricity and wall thickness
- Surface Finishing: Fine-machined, polished, and deburred bores for reduced friction and shaft wear
- Features: Lubrication grooves, wear-indicator slots, keyways, and mounting holes
- Color Options: Natural tan, black (carbon-filled), and custom colors on request
- Secondary Operations: Press-fit sizing, assembly with housings and shafts, and clearance matching to customer shafts
Quality Assurance
OrroMFG is committed to delivering PEEK self-lubricating bushings of the highest precision and reliability. Our ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facilities combine advanced CNC machining with rigorous process control to produce bushings that meet demanding dimensional and performance requirements. Dedicated cleanroom areas and strict contamination-control protocols support semiconductor and medical-grade production.
Quality control begins with incoming material verification through FTIR spectroscopy, DSC thermal analysis, and mechanical property testing to confirm PEEK grade authenticity and conformance to specifications. In-process inspection includes dimensional verification using coordinate measuring machines (CMM), bore and outside-diameter measurement, concentricity and wall-thickness checks, and surface roughness evaluation. For high-load and high-temperature applications, we perform functional wear and PV testing to validate performance under simulated operating conditions. All finished bushings undergo final inspection of critical features, with 100% dimensional verification where required. Products are supplied with material certificates (COA), dimensional inspection reports, and full batch traceability, and first article inspection (FAI) reports are available for new or critical parts.
