The world's first self-lubricating metal polymer sliding bearing has been available for 60 years

Sixty years ago, Glacier Metal, the predecessor of GGB Bearing Technology, launched the world's first self-lubricating metal polymer sliding bearing material DU, which revolutionized the bearing industry.
DU bearings combine the high load capacity and dimensional rigidity of lubricated metal bearings with the high performance and economy of self-lubricating. This kind of bearing is made of hard steel or corrosion-resistant copper lining (DU-B), which provides mechanical strength, and the porous sintered copper interlayer uniformly filled with a mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and lead provides low friction and High wear resistance.
The low friction of this kind of bearing reduces energy loss and improves energy efficiency, while the wear-resistant copper lining extends the service life. Because it is self-lubricating, the bearing requires little or no maintenance. However, they can also use lubricants to prevent potential shaft/bearing seizure under boundary conditions.
The compact, lightweight design and thin-walled structure of this bearing save space and reduce weight, and because there are no moving parts or metal-to-metal contact, the bearing is quieter. In addition, the installation is faster and easier, without the need for expensive installation tools.
Today, GGB produces millions of DU bearings, which are widely used in many industries. Its applications include agricultural and other off-highway equipment; automobiles including trucks; aviation; business machines; gardens, lawns and outdoor equipment; hydraulics and valves; household appliances and consumer goods; material handling; medical and dentistry; ships; packaging; Recreational vehicles; railway equipment; textile equipment and tools, etc.
The emergence of DU bearings represents a major technological breakthrough, becoming an industry standard and establishing GGB as a global leader in the field of self-lubricating, metal polymer sliding bearings. They also played an important basic role in the later development of a series of stronger, more durable and more environmentally friendly lead-free metal polymer bearings.
These products include lightly lubricated DX bearings for grease lubrication applications (1965); HI-EX lightly lubricated bearings for high-temperature applications (1986); DP4 bearings for automotive shock absorbers and other hydraulic applications (1995) ); DP31 bearings with improved lubrication, wear resistance, fatigue resistance and low friction properties (2003); DX10 bearings for Class 7 and 8 trucks; DP10 and DP10 bearings with better performance under light lubrication and dry running conditions DP11 bearings (2010); and DTS10 processable metal polymer bearings for the hydraulic transmission and compressor markets.
Learn more about the development of DU bearings and the innovative technologies that follow.
About GGB Bearing Technology
GGB is a global leader in high-performance self-lubricating bearings and pre-lubricated bearings, with production plants in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, Slovakia and China. The company provides services to more than 30,000 customers in various industries around the world, including automobiles, hydraulic transmission, agricultural and construction equipment, sports and leisure equipment, renewable energy, raw metals and general industries. Its products include metal polymers, engineering plastics, fiber-reinforced composite materials, and metal bearings and bushings. It also provides industry-leading R&D and testing services, flexible manufacturing, technical support and global sales network.