Trelleborg Sealing Solutions says it is pushing the boundaries of composite technology with the launch of Orkot® C620, an innovative ultra-low friction bearing material with five times the compressive strength of other Orkot materials for off-highway applications.
A high-specification thermoset composite, Orkot C620 meets the requirements of the most demanding high-load applications across all market sectors, including off-highway, Trelleborg says. Though strong and light, it withstands high loads and stresses over a long service life.
Mark Hampton, Product and Innovations Manager, says: “Orkot C620’s optimised properties provide customers with a step change in composite bearings, offering a unique combination of ultra-low friction and a compressive strength of 470 MPa, five times the strength of standard Orkot materials. It is both stronger and has better friction characteristics than competitor composite materials, and can even challenge many metallic bearings for strength, offering industries such as aerospace the lighter, lower-friction solutions they increasingly demand.
“Featuring a strong glass fibre backing with a low-friction Orkot lining, it builds upon regular Orkot composite formulations with a unique compound where the properties of the different layers increase load capacity and strength. It does this without compromising weight while reducing friction and eliminating maintenance to maximise efficiency and service life.”
Because of its unique characteristics, Orkot C620 is an attractive solution for the demanding high-load applications of off-highway equipment like excavators, Trelleborg says. It withstands high loads in boom pivots when excavating large volumes of material. Its low stick-slip means that hydraulic cylinder pivots bearing heavy and valuable loads can be more efficient and operate more smoothly, while its durability extends the service life of track rollers and undercarriages in dynamic applications by reducing wear.
In bucket linkages it resists impacts of up to 200 KJ/sq.m, demonstrating resilience in applications that experience shocks and vibration, the company says. Orkot C620 wear rings in hydraulic cylinder rod guides reduce stick-slip to manage an excavator’s sharp and repetitive movements.
Orkot C620 has been extensively tested for its mechanical properties, thermal expansion and fluid compatibility, and meets standards including AS 9100, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, Trelleborg says.