New igus bearings for solar trackers offer higher UV and moisture resistance

igus introduced a new material for a bearing used in solar industry applications that offers superior UV and moisture resistance along with low coefficients of friction.

Plain bearings are used as simple press-fit bearings and in some special forms. The iglide J UV offers long-lasting high performance for solar applications.

Solar systems, as well as other outdoor applications, have to function for years under extreme environmental conditions. Machine components must offer long service life and prolonged holding times. Plain bearings for solar power plants, parabolic trough power plants or for the mounting of the rotary axis for the panel adjustments should also have the lowest possible costs.

The iglide J UV includes a new material developed from iglide J but for applications with strict UV requirements. Like all igus plain bearings, the iglide J UV bearings include solid lubricants that make the bearing lubrication-free and maintenance-free, and resistant to dust and dirt. The long-term mechanical properties of the iglide J UV have also been improved, making it an ideal choice for smooth-running, lubrication-free, and long-lasting solar systems.

Due to its corrosion-free properties and resistance to media, moisture and other environmental influences do not impact the performance of the iglide J UV. The tribological properties such as friction and wear of the UV material are comparable to those of the standard material, iglide J.

Its low coefficients of friction in dry operation and the extremely low stick-slip tendency are very important for low speeds, which are common in solar industry tracking systems. High speeds of over one meter per second are also possible. In both cases, the static friction is very low, and the stick-slip tendency is avoided.