Overview
Nylon bushings are cylindrical plain bearing components manufactured from polyamide (nylon) resins, most commonly PA66, designed to provide reliable, low-friction support for rotating, sliding, or oscillating shafts and pins. These versatile bushings are widely used in industrial automation, material handling equipment, automotive systems, and agricultural machinery where self-lubricating performance, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness are essential. OrroMFG produces precision nylon bushings in a comprehensive range of sizes, configurations, and material formulations to meet diverse application requirements.
Our nylon bushing product line includes sleeve bushings, flange bushings, thrust washers, and custom-shaped bearing components. We offer various nylon formulations including virgin PA66, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) filled nylon for enhanced dry-running performance, and glass-filled nylon for increased strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures. Nylon bushings offer significant advantages over metal bearings including inherent corrosion resistance, lightweight construction, noise damping, and the ability to operate without external lubrication in many applications. They are particularly well-suited for applications involving oscillating motion, slow-to-moderate speeds, and medium-to-high loads where traditional rolling element bearings may be prone to brinelling or fatigue failure.
Key Features
- Excellent Wear Resistance: Good sliding properties and wear resistance, especially when lubricated or compounded with MoS2 or PTFE additives.
- Self-Lubricating: Inherent lubricity enables dry-running operation in many applications, reducing maintenance requirements.
- High Impact Resistance: Nylon’s excellent toughness absorbs shock loads and resists fracture under impact conditions.
- Corrosion Resistance: Resistant to most chemicals, oils, fuels, and moisture; does not rust or corrode in wet environments.
- Low Noise and Vibration: Damping properties reduce operating noise and absorb vibration compared to metal bearings.
- Cost-Effective: Excellent performance-to-cost ratio with high-volume manufacturing capability through injection molding.
Material Specifications
| Property | Nylon PA66 | MoS2-Filled PA66 | 30% Glass-Filled PA66 | PTFE-Filled PA66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.13 - 1.15 | 1.14 - 1.18 | 1.35 - 1.40 | 1.15 - 1.25 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 75 - 85 | 70 - 80 | 150 - 180 | 55 - 65 |
| Tensile Modulus (GPa) | 2.8 - 3.2 | 2.6 - 3.0 | 7.0 - 9.0 | 2.2 - 2.8 |
| Compressive Strength (MPa) | 90 - 110 | 85 - 100 | 180 - 220 | 70 - 85 |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 70 - 80 | 70 - 80 | 200 - 220 | 70 - 80 |
| Continuous Service Temp (°C) | 80 - 120 | 80 - 120 | 120 - 150 | 80 - 120 |
| Hardness (Rockwell M) | 70 - 80 | 70 - 80 | 95 - 105 | 65 - 75 |
| Coefficient of Friction (dry) | 0.20 - 0.35 | 0.10 - 0.20 | 0.25 - 0.40 | 0.08 - 0.15 |
| PV Limit (bar·m/s, dry) | 500 - 1,000 | 1,000 - 2,000 | 800 - 1,500 | 1,500 - 2,500 |
| Izod Impact (kJ/m²) | 50 - 80 | 40 - 70 | 10 - 15 | 30 - 50 |
| Water Absorption (24h, %) | 1.0 - 1.5 | 0.8 - 1.3 | 0.5 - 1.0 | 0.8 - 1.2 |
Applications
Industrial Automation and Robotics
Nylon flange bushings are extensively used in industrial automation equipment including pick-and-place robots, assembly machines, packaging lines, and conveyor systems. They provide reliable linear and rotary motion support for guide rods, pivot points, and linkages. Their self-lubricating properties reduce maintenance requirements in automated production environments where frequent relubrication would be impractical. Flange bushings are particularly common for locating and supporting shafts in assembly fixtures and automation tooling.
Material Handling and Conveyor Systems
In material handling applications, nylon bushings support rollers, pulleys, idlers, and conveyor belt components. They are widely used in warehouse automation, distribution centers, airport baggage handling systems, and food processing conveyors. Nylon’s corrosion resistance makes it ideal for wet or washdown environments such as bottling lines and food processing plants where metal bearings would require frequent replacement due to corrosion.
Automotive Industry
Nylon bushings find numerous applications in automotive systems including suspension components, steering linkages, door hinges, pedal assemblies, seat mechanisms, and powertrain mounts. They provide vibration damping and noise reduction while maintaining reliable performance under varying temperature and load conditions. Glass-filled nylon bushings are used in under-hood applications where higher temperature resistance is required.
Agricultural and Construction Equipment
In agricultural machinery and construction equipment, nylon bushings are used in loader arms, bucket linkages, tillage equipment, and hydraulic cylinder mounts. Their ability to operate with minimal lubrication and resist dirt, dust, and moisture makes them well-suited for harsh outdoor field conditions. Nylon bushings also reduce wear on mating pin and shaft surfaces compared to metal-on-metal contact.
Appliance and Consumer Products
Nylon bushings are used in home appliances including washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators for drum supports, hinge points, and motor mounts. They provide quiet, maintenance-free operation over the expected service life of the appliance.
Operating Conditions
- Temperature Range: -40°C to +120°C (-40°F to +248°F) for unfilled nylon; up to 150°C for glass-filled grades
- PV Limit: 500-2,500 bar·m/s depending on material grade and lubrication conditions
- Load Capacity: Up to 100 MPa static compressive load; up to 30 MPa dynamic load depending on speed
- Sliding Speed: Up to 3 m/s (600 ft/min) with proper lubrication; up to 1 m/s dry-running with MoS2 or PTFE-filled grades
- Chemical Compatibility: Resistant to hydrocarbons, fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, solvents, alkalis, salt solutions, and most industrial chemicals
- Not Recommended For: Strong mineral acids, oxidizing agents, phenols, and prolonged immersion in hot water above 80°C
- Moisture Effects: Absorbs ambient moisture, which increases dimensional swelling and reduces mechanical strength slightly but improves impact resistance
- Lubrication: Performs best with grease or oil lubrication; MoS2 or PTFE-filled grades suitable for dry or marginally lubricated conditions
Material Comparison
| Material | Load Capacity | Wear Resistance | Temp Range | Corrosion Resistance | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon PA66 | Medium | Good | -40 to +120°C | Good | Low-Medium | General industrial, automation, automotive |
| Bronze | High | Good | -40 to +200°C | Fair | Medium-High | Heavy-duty, high-load, lubricated service |
| PTFE | Low-Medium | Excellent | -200 to +260°C | Excellent | Medium-High | Chemical service, low-load, wide temp range |
| PEEK | High | Excellent | -40 to +260°C | Very Good | Very High | High-temp, high-load, medical/semiconductor |
| Graphite | Low-Medium | Excellent | up to 500°C | Good | Medium | High-temperature, self-lubricating, dry service |
| Steel (hardened) | Very High | Good | -40 to +200°C+ | Poor | Medium | Heavy-duty, high-load, lubricated precision |
Choose nylon bushings when:
- Self-lubricating, maintenance-free operation is desired
- Good impact resistance and shock load capability are needed
- Corrosion resistance is required for wet or chemical environments
- Noise and vibration reduction are important
- Cost-effective performance for medium-load applications
- The application involves automation, material handling, or automotive systems
Customization Options
- Material Grades: PA66, PA6, PA12, PA46; MoS2-filled; PTFE-filled; glass-filled (10-50%); oil-filled; heat-stabilized; UV-stabilized; food-grade nylon
- Bushing Types: Sleeve bushings, flange bushings, thrust washers, step bushings, split bushings, lined bushings, and custom geometries
- Size Range: Inner diameter 3mm to 200mm; length 5mm to 500mm; flange diameter up to 300mm
- Tolerance Grades: H7/H8 bore tolerances; IT6-IT9 dimensional grades
- Surface Finishes: As-molded, turned, reamed, and honed bore surfaces with Ra 0.8-3.2 μm
- Flange Configurations: Single flange, double flange, round flange, hexagonal flange, and custom flange profiles
- Lubrication Features: Grooved bore patterns, grease fittings, oil holes, and lubrication pockets
- Manufacturing Methods: CNC machined (prototyping and low volume), injection molded (high volume), cast nylon (large diameter)
- Color Options: Natural (off-white/beige), black, blue, and custom colors for grade identification or aesthetic purposes
- Secondary Operations: Keyway cutting, cross-hole drilling, threading, chamfering, and assembly with mating components
Quality Assurance
OrroMFG maintains strict quality control throughout nylon bushing manufacturing. Our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system ensures consistent product quality from raw material receipt through final inspection and packaging. We source nylon resins from reputable global suppliers and conduct incoming material verification including melt flow index testing, density measurement, and moisture content analysis.
For injection-molded nylon bushings, we employ scientific molding techniques with real-time process monitoring to ensure dimensional consistency and repeatability across production batches. For CNC-machined bushings, we use precision turning and milling equipment with in-process dimensional verification. Quality control inspections include bore diameter measurement using air gauges and bore gauges, outer diameter and length verification, concentricity and runout checking, surface roughness measurement, and hardness testing. We also perform functional testing including wear testing on specialized test rigs, load capacity testing, and friction coefficient measurement for application-specific validation. All nylon bushings are supplied with material test certificates, inspection reports, and full batch traceability documentation. Our commitment to quality ensures that every nylon bushing delivers reliable, long-lasting performance in the most demanding industrial applications.
