Dotmar Engineering Plastics offers a self-lubricating, high-performance nylon under the tradename Ertalon LFX. This product has been developed to meet the needs of high-performance mechanical applications, particularly where traditional lubrication such as grease and oil is impractical or undesirable.
Ertalon LFX boasts a range of benefits over other conventional plastics and alternative materials. It's self-lubricating properties eliminate the need for external lubricants, making it essentially maintenance free, improves the hygiene of the workplace, and is more environmentally friendly. There is reduced wear through less friction and surface damage resulting in a longer service life and lower energy use. Finally, Ertalon LFX is excellent for low-noise applications as it runs quiet making it ideal for automated lines.
Ertalon LFX Application Spotlight: Wear Pads/Sliders in the trailer industry.
The use of Ertalon LFX (self-lubricating nylon) in the transport industry (in particular, tow trucks & trailers) offers multiple performance, safety, and cost-efficiency benefits.
Dotmar's Ertalon LFX can be used as wear pads that get mounted under slide trays or between moving surfaces to prevent metal-on-metal contact/damage. In tilt-trays, hydraulic slide beds and recovery ramps Ertalon LFX is used as slide pads/blocks. The material properties also allow for excellent shock absorption for boom & cradle supports to prevent steel wear, and can also be used as guide strips to ensure smooth guiding of ramps during extensions and retraction. When machined from rod into bushings, Ertalon LFX can also be used as winch guides to ensure smooth and wear-resistant cable or rope movement.
Ertalon LFX balances load bearing capacity, wear life, and self-lubricating performance, making it a top choice for tow truck and trailer slide surfaces.
LFX vs Alternate Materials:
| Material | Downsides in the Transport Industry |
|---|---|
| Steel | Noisy, needs lubrication, prone to wear and rust. |
| UHMWPE | Excellent sliding but lower load-bearing and may deform under pressure. |
| Nylon 6 | Without lubrication it's friction is not as low as Ertalon LFX. |
| PTFE | Very slippery, but too soft for structural slide pad applications. |
LFX Slide/Wear pad Material Comparison (Technical):
| Property | LFX (Self-Lubricating Nylon) | UHMW-PE | Bronze (Oil-Impregnated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Lubricating | Yes (internal lubricants) | Yes | Yes (oil-soaked) |
| Friction Coefficient (Dry) | ~0.20 | ~0.10–0.20 | ~0.25–0.35 |
| Load-Bearing Capacity | High | Moderate | Very High |
| Impact Resistance | Very Good | Good (deforms easily) | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Moderate–High | High |
| Water Absorption | Low–Moderate (1–2%) | None | None |
| Machinability | Easy | Easy | Moderate–Hard |
| Temperature Range (°C) | -40°C to 90°C | -250°C to 80°C | -100°C to 200°C+ |
| Noise Damping | Excellent | Excellent | No |
| Weight | Light | Very Light | Heavy |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | May corrode in salt or moisture |
| Lubrication Required | None | None | May require re-oiling |
| Cost | Moderate | Low | High |
