RULON®

Rulon is the Furon trade name for a family of proprietary PTFE compounds. This family of materials offers the combination of high compressive strengths, low coefficient of friction, and excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance while running without lubrication. They are used in bearing and seal applications from temperature extremes of -400ºF to over 500ºF with and without additional lubricants. They also have the unique property of the absence of stick slip, that is erratic low speed motion. (The Rulon II series is not included in this group.)

Product Applications

• Bearings
• Bushings
• Gaskets and Packings
• Piston Rings
• Pump Curves and Seals
• O-Rings
• Screw Machine Parts
• Thrust Washers
• Linear Guide Ways on Machine Tools

Uses of Rulon

• Low cost, high-performance dry bearings for continuous service up to 20,000 PV or intermittent service up to 50,000 PV. Call for special formulations to achieve these results.
• Low temperatures to -400ºF where oils are useless
• High temperatures to 550ºF
• Corrosive substances, non-lubricating liquids, high or low humidities.
• Lubricated applications in which wear may occur during starting and stopping
• Oscillating bearings or any case where stick-slip is undesirable
• Space and weight-saving applications
• Where bearing lubrication is undesirable or impossible

Grades of Rulon in Stock
(many other formulations available)

• Rulon AR (formerly Rulon A - Color: Light Maroon)- The original Rulon material, still very popular in both bearing and seal applications, Rulon AR has the best combination of flexibility and load carrying properties, high wear resistance, low friction, and good electrical insulative and chemical properties. First commercially available reinforced PTFE. Reinforcing agents are ceramic in nature, so mating surfaces should have minimum hardness of Rockwell C35. Used in seals, piston cups, and some bearings.
  
  
• Rulon LR (formerly Rulon LD - Color: Dark Maroon) - Modified Rulon AR to increase the mechanical properties for slightly more load capacity with a corresponding decrease in flexibility. Rulon LR is our standard sleeve, flange, thrust, and T-liner bearing material. Occasionally used as as a seal for piston rings, but not in flexing lip seal applications.
  
  
• Rulon J (Color: Dull Gold) - An all-plastic reinforced PTFE, Rulon J has lower friction and wear when compared to other reinforced PTFE compounds. Can be used against nonferrous and nonmetallic surfaces such as 316 stainless steel, brass, and other plastics. It has excellent tribological properties and is suitable for use in both bearing and seal applications. The mechanical strength of Rulon J is slightly less than other Rulon grades and it should not be used in alkaline solutions, oxidizing acids and steam environments.
  
  
• Rulon 641 (Color: White) - Formulated of all FDA-cleared ingredients, this Rulon grade was developed for food and drug contact applications. Has excellent chemical and wear resistance, surpassing the usual materials such as Nylon, UHMW polyethylene and virgin PTFE. Compatible with soft mating materials such as stainless steel, with a deformation under load comparable to Rulon LR.
  
  
• Rulon 142 (Color: Bright Turquoise) - Developed specifically for use as linear guide ways on machine tools. Rulon 142 has slightly lower deformation under load than Rulon LR and is more thermally and electrically conducive. It is also more abrasive and less chemically resistant than rulon LR, however, most other physical properties are similar. It can be used as a direct replacement for Shanban's Turcite B compound.

Design Criteria for Rulon Bearings

Rulon 142 Technical Specifications

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