No chance for mold - igus polymer sliding bearings pass the test

Fresh air with mold-resistant, tested, and maintenance-free iglidur plain bearings made from high-performance plastics. (Source: igus GmbH)

Mold does not only pose a significant nuisance for building and vehicle technology as well as the aerospace industry, but above all, it represents a serious health hazard. To prevent this, it is particularly important to use the right ventilation technology and also to rely on mold-resistant components. Therefore, igus has now tested its materials for mold formation. The result: all sliding bearings are resistant to fungi and bacteria.

If mold develops in ventilation systems, mold spores are continuously dispersed into the air in enclosed spaces, vehicles, and buildings, and can easily enter the respiratory system. To avoid this danger, designers rely on machine elements that are resistant to mold. This also applies to the high-performance plastics from igus. In a laboratory test, seven iglidur materials were tested for their resistance to microorganisms according to DIN EN ISA 846 Procedure A. This test examines the materials' resistance to fungi and bacteria. Because plastics can be used as a food source by microorganisms and can be altered by the metabolic products of bacteria. For the experiment, the sliding bearings were stored for four weeks at 29 degrees Celsius on a special culture. The result: no changes were observed in the tested materials, nor was there any mold infestation.

Versatile applications in ventilation technology

The mold-resistant, lubricant- and maintenance-free sliding bearings are used, for example, in aircraft for seat and armrest adjustment, as well as for the storage of flaps in the galley or for luggage. In building technology, the iglidur bearing materials can be found in fans and air damper controllers, which also benefit from the corrosion resistance of the plastic bearings. Additionally, the sliding bearings are resistant to dirt. The polymer bearings are easy to clean, temperature-, media-, and chemical-resistant. Another advantage: the lifespan of iglidur bearings can be easily determined online with the lifespan calculator.