igus is helping machinery and equipment manufacturers, who are required to adhere to the RoHS Directive, achieve more reliable performance with lowered environmental impact by switching to iglidur plastic bearings. iglidur plastic bearings are well-suited to a wide range of applications including those found in the automotive, transportation, construction, industrial, medical and food and packaging industries.
“Up until 1st July 2008, bearing manufacturers were given an exceptional provision, which allowed them to continue putting lead-containing and therefore potentially hazardous bearings on the market,” explained Rob Dumayne, director, igus. “This exemption has long passed and, although most bearing manufacturers have invested heavily to ensure their products comply with the requirements specified in the RoHS Directive, some are still missing the target.”
Typical application examples include the use of lead in solder, or as an ingredient in metallic composite bearings, and the use of PBB as a flame retardant, these restricted substances also commonly occur in metallic alloys.
“Steel-backed bearings with a lining of PTFE based material are still available on the market,” added Rob. “In some cases, this material can contain lead additives and for this reason the bearing would do not comply with the RoHS Directive. REACH compliance is also an important factor to consider as often bearings that contain a sintered material can be impregnated non-regulatory oils.”
Additionally in the Medical Technology industry from 22nd July, any products such as plain bearings face extinction if they have high concentrations of lead within them, this is further evidence for the use of igus dry-tech polymer bearing systems, ensuring legal, safe and future proofing functionality to the manufacturer.
