With RoHS-compliant iglidur sliding bearings already prepared for the future

Just one example of the multitude of RoHS-compliant iglidur materials is iglidur G, which is suitable as a universal material for a wide range of applications (Source: igus GmbH).

Since the beginning of the year, the extended EU Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS II) has been in effect, tightening permissible limits for hazardous substances in increasingly many areas. As of July 22, products with inadmissibly high concentrations, such as lead-containing plain bearings, are also facing restrictions in the medical technology industry. As a RoHS-compliant alternative, iglidur polymer plain bearings from igus are recommended, promising manufacturers legal and functional security, and users safe handling and disposal.

Since the mid-1990s, restrictions regarding the use of environmentally hazardous substances have applied across Europe for electrical and electronic devices and their components. These guidelines, under the abbreviation "RoHS" (Restriction of (the use of certain) Hazardous Substances), continuously tighten limits for the use of industrially necessary but potentially health-damaging substances such as chromium, lead, mercury, or bromine. With the new RoHS II standard, a maximum value of 0.1% of the total weight is set for most substances. Many manufacturers had to already adapt their production processes accordingly in the past, and others now need to respond, as exceptions, such as for medical and control technology, are expiring this month. Since similar regulations are also in force in countries like the USA, Japan, or China, these standards increasingly need to be met globally. Metallic composite bearings often have alloys that are not RoHS-compliant.

Planning- and amendment-proof with iglidur plain bearings

Customers who consider RoHS compliance have a direct alternative with iglidur bearings. The substances covered by the directive generally do not play a role in this material, which is made from thermoplastic polymer compounds. The iglidur bearing technology, based on the principle of incorporated dry lubrication, uses compounds made from tribologically optimized base polymers, solid lubricants, and fillers that are exclusively non-metallic and RoHS-compliant ingredients.

The provisions of the RoHS directive are also subject to ongoing review, allowing for future revisions of legal requirements. Manufacturers whose devices and components currently meet the permissible limits or are even temporarily exempt from the standards must prepare for further tightening. iglidur polymer plain bearings already provide planning security today. In addition to their "traditional" advantages of maintenance- and lubricant-free operation, all igus products are fundamentally free of hazardous substances. RoHS compliance is therefore a natural characteristic of iglidur plain bearings. However, igus plain bearings do not only provide legal security. Thanks to the possibility of life cycle calculation and configuration with online tools, RoHS-compliant metal bearings can be easily and quickly replaced with iglidur plain bearings.