What are composite bearings used for?
Composite bearings are used in sliding applications where grease is difficult to maintain, corrosion is a risk, or vibration and shock would shorten the life of traditional metal bushings.
Composite Bearings
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/// Zero Maintenance
Zero Maintenance Self-Lubricating Bearings.
Traditional bronze bearings require constant greasing, attract dirt, and fail catastrophically when neglected. Fritex bearings eliminate the lubricant entirely.
Self-Lubricating
PTFE liner provides permanent low friction without grease.
Indestructible
Resists shock, vibration, and extreme loads >400 MPa.
FW-Series
Filament Wound Bearings
Filament Wound fiberglass-epoxy structure. The gold standard for heavy-duty pivots.
Performance Matrix
Static Load Limit
>400MPa
Max PV (Dry)
1.8MPa·m/s
160°Celsius
0.03Coeff μ
Best Used For:
- Earthmoving Pivot points on excavators/loaders
- Marine / Subsea Winches, hatch covers, rudders
Technical Note Contains a proprietary PTFE woven fabric liner bonded to the glass-epoxy backing.
CR-Series
Metal Backed Bushings
Composite liner bonded to a metallic shell. High temperature range & precise fits.
Performance Matrix
Static Load Limit
250MPa
Max PV (Lube)
5.0MPa·m/s
280°Celsius
0.05Coeff μ
Best Used For:
- Automotive Shock absorbers, pumps, hinges
- Valves (High Temp) Fluid control up to 280°C
Note: Thin wall design allows for replacing traditional bronze bushings without resizing housing.
Selection Logic
How engineers compare Fritex bearings against bronze bushings.
The most common comparison is not only price or load rating. Engineers typically evaluate lubrication access, contamination risk, corrosion exposure, vibration, housing tolerance, and expected maintenance intervals.
| Selection factor | FW-Series | CR-Series | Bronze bushing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lubrication strategy | Dry-running, self-lubricating | Dry-running, self-lubricating | Usually grease-dependent |
| Best fit | Heavy pivots and oscillating joints | Compact housings and precision shells | General purpose sliding support |
| Environment | Dust, water, vibration, corrosion | Temperature-sensitive and process systems | Cleaner, serviceable environments |
| Maintenance burden | Low | Low | Higher if relubrication is required |
Need specific dimensions?
We engineer custom sizes and tolerances for every application.
OPEN CATALOG FAQ
Composite bearing and bushing questions
These FAQs reinforce the exact terminology engineers use when comparing self-lubricating bearings, filament wound bearings, and bronze bushing alternatives.
What is a filament wound bearing?
A filament wound bearing uses continuous fibers and resin to create a rigid backing, then pairs that backing with a low-friction liner. This construction is common in heavy-duty pivots and oscillating motion.
When should I choose a metal-backed bushing?
Metal-backed bushings are useful when the housing geometry expects a metal shell, tighter fit control is needed, or the application requires broader temperature resistance with a thin wall construction.
Can composite bearings replace bronze bushings?
In many applications yes. Engineers often compare composite bearings to bronze bushings when trying to reduce lubrication, contamination, seizure risk, or maintenance intervals.