Polymer Materials

Rulon^® AR is a light maroon colored material best known as the current version of the first Rulon^® introduced, namely Rulon A. While often compared to another in the series, Rulon^® LR, it is somewhat more flexible than its counterpart, and is therefore suitable for seals and bonded coating of slide surfaces, especially when those applications require higher physical properties than Rulon^® LR can provide. It is also practically chemically inert, and provides long life and reliability in continuous non-lubricated service.

Rulon^® LR is compatible with most hardened steel substrates. Mild steel is acceptable; harder running surfaces are better.

Rulon^® LR has a practically universal chemical inertness. Of the chemicals encountered in commercial practice, only molten sodium and fluorine, at elevated temperatures and pressures, show any sign of attack.

Rulon^® J is an all-polymeric reinforced, dull gold colored PTFE compound that operates exceptionally well against soft mating surfaces such as 316 stainless steel, aluminum, mild steel, brass and other plastics. The unique “shaft friendly” material is also low in friction and wear, and self-lubricating.

Rulon^® 641 is manufactured from FDA and USDA compliant materials possessing excellent loads and wear characteristics while meeting the requirements for USP Class VI.

It offers excellent, continuous non-lubricated service up to 10,000 PV – higher for intermittent service. While the load capacity of Rulon^® 641 is generally limited to 1,000 psi (6.9 MPa) at room temperature, deformation is a function of wall thickness, temperature and load.

Rulon^® 142 / 142S / 242 materials are specially formulated dull blue-green linear bearing formulations that exhibits low wear, high thermal dissipation, and good dimensional stability characteristics. They are metal filled polymer material solutions used for dimensional stability, vibration and wear resistance.

Among their many benefits are the virtual elimination of stick-slip, vibration dampening, self-lubrication, uniform friction, long life, ease of application and design diversity. They are low deformation materials suitable for linear bearings and slides.

Rulon^® 488 is a dull turquoise material originally developed for use with painted surfaces. It has been used in veneer dryer bearings in the plywood industry.

Its excellent wear resistance, especially in extremely dry environments, make it a material of choice in hydrogen and natural gas compressors. Its almost universal chemical resistance enables it to withstand corrosives and acids sometimes present in trace amounts in these environments.

Rulon^® W2 is a black PTFE-based Carbon Filled polymer material solution developed for use in fresh-water applications. It exhibits low friction and excellent wear characteristics (one of the lowest wear rates in fresh water) as well as good thermal dissipation, preventing shaft distress. Its properties are enhanced when wet and the material does not absorb water.

Rulon^® is a tan material made entirely from FDA and USDA compliant components. It has excellent physical properties and is chemically compatible with most chemicals, except concentrated sulfuric acid. This offers much flexibility in wash-down environments of food and pharmaceutical processing environments.

It has slightly lower coefficient of friction than Rulon^® J, offering extended life and less abrasion with softer mating surfaces.

It is compatible with most commercially available natural lubricants for additional reduction in friction.

Rulon^® XL is a tan colored material that is best for use against aluminum (including anodized) substrates. Rulon^® XL exhibits very low wear as compared with other Rulon^® grades.

Other advantages offered by this unique material are that it combines low deformation under load with exceptionally good chemical resistance.
It is compatible with a wide range of mating surfaces, but is not recommended for use with alkalis. Its non-abrasive character enhances the frictional performance to prevent galling of softer mating surfaces.

Rulon^® 1439 is a white FDA and USDA compliant material that is suitable for immersed service (submerged applications with superior wear characteristics than most other PTFE compounds). Its color makes it aesthetically pleasing for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Rulon^® 945 is a black PTFE-based material that has very low wear and deformation under load, making it ideally suited for demanding thermal applications. In fact, its deformation is the lowest of all Rulon^® grades. It also possesses excellent chemical resistance and good dimensional stability

Since Rulon^® 945 has moderate abrasive qualities, this black material is best suited for use against hard mating surfaces, like hardened steel substrates. It is not suitable in applications where electrically insulating properties are required.