Smooth Sliding motion between 316SS plates

[AJ77]

Hi:

I am designing a fixture in which a 20" x 20" x 1/2" thick 316L SS plate slides between two machined grooved rails(316L SS). What is a good surface finish/plating I can use to get smooth sliding motion or can I install Delrin strips in the rail groove on which the plates slides easily. This will be a manually operating system. Any suggestions will be very helpful.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Use the Delrin, stainless steel on stainless steel tends to gall no matter how smooth the surface.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[EdStainless]

One (or both) of these parts should be Nitronic 50. Or better yet one Nit 50 and the other 17-4PH if you want metal on metal.
With 316 you will need to install a polymer bearing (plastic on plastic) and assure that the metal parts can never touch.
There are teflon loaded plastics made for bearing use.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[HTURKAK]

I will suggest the use of Teflon (PTFE) plate ..

 

[spats]

I don't know if this helps, but I use this product for slide bearings in building expansion joints.

 

[STrctPono]

Yes, one common bridge bearing is to polish one of the stainless steel surfaces and then use Teflon bonded to the other surface.