Material to slide on Stainless Steel 3

[christianstehle]

I have the following problem:

A slab gate (in a dam outlet) is guided by bronze guide plates sliding on stainless steel guides. The gate jerks when it is operated, and I suspect this is caused by galling between the two materials.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what material to use in stead of bronze. The contact pressure is about 20 MPa and the relative movement is slow.

Thanks
Christian

 

[griffengm]

christianstehle:
You do not indicate the size or weight of the gate nor the load against it. It would seem that the use of some of the plastics mentioned would have problems over time under some load conditions depending on the load conditions.
Just my thoughts.


Griffy

 

[cfkrl]

Try Nylatron. This is a graphite filled nylon. Works great in mining applications and underwater.

 

[JTreglio]

How large are the gate components? If they're not too large, you might want to consider a diamond-like carbon coating deposited by physical or chemical vapor deposition on the stainless steel surface. In aqueous conditions these coatings are extremely lubricious, with friction coefficients reaching as low as 0.01. In addition, they handle heavy loads with ease.

Jim Treglio
Molecular Metallurgy, Inc.

 

[rorschach]

If PEEK is not useable due to water absorption/swell, another option is Ryton (PPS, polyphenylsulphone), probably with significant glass fiber loading (say 30% or more) to help cut down on creep due to load. PEEK is significantly stronger, but it will swell some if immersed for long periods.

 

[debco99]

The only material that is known to be perfect match in SS is Waukesha and can be located here.

http://www.waukeshafoundry.com/antigall.htm

We used this as a rotor in a volumetric piston pump for years and worked perfect

 

[unclesyd]

debco99's suggestion of Waukesha 88 is good one.

Lets regress a little.

You might give these people a call. Lignum Vita guides maybe the ticket.

http://www.woodex-meco.com

 

[pulsetech]

Looks like you got alot of good feedback on this issue but just wanted to add one more possibility: titanium carboniteride TiCN coating for the Stainless steel

Hardness (HV 0.05): 4000 +/- 400
Friction Coefficient: 0.45

Good Luck,

Ken
Pulse Designtech