Industry: Material Handling & Conveying
Application: Shaft Collars for Rotating Shafts
Client: Leading OEM in the Material Handling Sector
Client Challenge
Operating in dusty and abrasive environments, this OEM experienced excessive wear and galling on bronze shaft collars used to secure rotating shafts. These metal collars required frequent lubrication and caused scoring on the shaft surfaces, resulting in high maintenance costs and increased warranty claims.
Lehigh Valley Plastics’ Solution
After reviewing load conditions, rotational speed, and environmental factors, Lehigh Valley Plastics recommended replacing bronze collars with Nylatron® GSM—a self-lubricating nylon plastic filled with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) for improved wear performance.
- Self-lubricating: eliminates need for grease
- Excellent wear resistance in abrasive settings
- Non-galling: preserves shaft integrity
- Vibration dampening: enhances machine performance
Results
- Maintenance Reduction: No lubrication needed. Collars ran clean, reducing downtime and labor costs.
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Fewer shutdowns and longer part life led to significant savings.
- Improved Reliability: Shaft damage eliminated, boosting uptime and reducing warranty claims.
- Quieter Operation: Operators reported noticeably lower equipment noise levels.
Conclusion: By replacing bronze with Nylatron® GSM, Lehigh Valley Plastics helped this OEM improve operational efficiency, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce total maintenance cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why replace bronze with Nylatron® GSM?
Nylatron® GSM is self-lubricating, resists galling, and outperforms bronze in dusty, high-wear environments without the need for greasing.
Is Nylatron® GSM strong enough for shaft collars?
Yes. It offers excellent strength and dimensional stability, even under heavy loads and in rotating shaft applications.
Does Nylatron® GSM require lubrication?
No. It’s internally lubricated, meaning it runs dry and clean—ideal for dusty, abrasive conditions.
What industries use Nylatron® GSM?
Material handling, agriculture, packaging, mining, and industrial automation sectors commonly use Nylatron® GSM for bushings, wear pads, and shaft collars.
Want to save this for later?
Download a PDF version of this article to read offline or share with colleagues.
Download PDF