Materials
The right material starts with the application.
Choosing a bushing material is not a plastic-versus-metal checkbox. Temperature, load, motion, speed, lubrication, mating surface, and environment decide the family.
Dark gray / black
Graphite-filled polyimide
Self-lubricating high-temperature polymer for dry-running or lightly lubricated bushings, thrust washers, and dynamic wear faces.
Amber / brown
Unfilled polyimide
Unfilled polyimide for applications that need electrical insulation along with thermal performance, dimensional stability, and machinability.
Formulation-dependent
Specialty-filled polyimide
Application-specific polyimide formulations — MoS₂-filled, fluoropolymer-modified, and electrically conductive grades — for duty that standard graphite-filled or unfilled materials do not cover.
Alloy-dependent
Aerospace-grade metals
Precision-machined stainless, nickel, bronze, titanium, and other aerospace alloys when strength, hardness, or structural support exceeds polymer range.
| Feature | Graphite-filled | Unfilled |
|---|---|---|
| Low friction | Excellent | Excellent |
| Wear resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Dry-running capability | Excellent for appropriate applications | Application dependent |
| Electrical insulation | Formulation dependent | Excellent |
| High-temperature performance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weight reduction | Excellent | Excellent |
| Typical color | Dark gray / black | Amber / brown |
| Typical applications | Bearings, bushings, thrust washers | Insulators, bushings, washers, precision wear components |
Actual performance depends on material grade, geometry, load, speed, temperature, mating surface, and operating environment.
