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GuideDiode Trading EST · 3 min read
30 October, 2026 | 
Admin
Short answer: Plastic bushings replace bronze and steel where low friction, quiet running, corrosion resistance and low maintenance matter. PTFE suits chemicals and very low friction, nylon and POM suit strength and precise machining, and UHMWPE suits sliding abrasion. Choose by load, speed, temperature, fluid and the size tolerance you need.
A bushing is a sleeve that supports a rotating or sliding shaft. Metal bushings need lubrication and can corrode. Plastic bushings often run dry or with little lubricant, do not rust, weigh less and make less noise. They are used on conveyors, packaging lines, pumps, valves, cranes and food machinery.
Free engineering tools
PTFE. Lowest friction and resistant to almost all chemicals, so it suits chemical process equipment and valves. Soft, so filled grades such as glass, carbon or bronze are used when load or wear is higher. See filled PTFE guide.
Nylon (PA). Tough, wear resistant and quiet. Easy to machine. Absorbs moisture, so allow for size change in wet or humid use. See nylon guide.
POM (acetal). Stiff, low friction and dimensionally stable. A common choice for precision bushings, rollers and gears. Weak against strong acids. See POM guide.
UHMWPE. Very high abrasion resistance and low friction. Good for sliding wear parts, guides and liners, but softer and with a lower temperature limit. See UHMWPE guide.
| Need | First choice |
|---|---|
| Strong chemicals low friction , | PTFE (virgin or fliled) |
| General bushings and rollers | Nylon or POM |
| Precise size in damp conditions | POM or PET |
| Abrasive sliding contact | UHMWPE |
| Heavy load with low friction | Filled PTFE or oil -fliled nylon |
Bushings are turned from rod or tube and drilled to size. Send the drawing with the inside and outside diameter, length, tolerances, material and quantity. If you are replacing a worn bushing, send the old part and the shaft size. Diode Trading EST stocks the materials at its Dammam warehouse and machines parts to your drawing.
Excess clearance and play, noise, scoring on the shaft, heat marks or deformation of the bore, and visible wear on the bearing surface. Replace worn bushings before they damage the shaft, which is much costlier.
Which material do you recommend for my load, speed and fluid? What tolerance can you hold? Can you machine to my drawing? Can you supply flanged bushings or custom sleeves? What documents come with the material?
Every order ships with a Material Test Certificate. Send your drawing or sample, the material and quantity to sales@diode.sa or by WhatsApp. Request a quote.
They need little lubrication, do not corrode and are quiet and light.
PTFE for chemicals, nylon or POM for strength and machinability, UHMWPE for sliding wear.
Yes, send the drawing or sample.
Often not, but some conditions benefit from lubrication.
Related guides: PTFE Rods and Machined Components · Nylon Guide · UHMWPE Chain Guides
Explore the product range: Mechanical Industrial Solutions · PTFE Machined Components · Nylon Sheets and Rods · POM Acetal Sheets and Rods
Need a price or lead time? Request a quote with sizes, quantity and delivery city in Saudi Arabia.
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Read moreDiode Trading EST supplies these Engineering Plastics from stock in Dammam, with delivery across Saudi Arabia and the GCC.
Stock in Dammam · MTC with every order
Need a price or lead time? Talk to our sales team.
