PTFE Bridge Bearing Slide Plates: How They Work and What to Specify

30 October, 2026 | Admin

PTFE Bridge Bearing & Sliding Plates — PTFE Slide Bearings

Short answer: A PTFE slide plate is a low-friction
surface used in sliding bridge bearings. It lets the bridge deck expand,
contract and rotate as temperature and traffic change, without
transferring large forces into piers. It works with a polished stainless
steel mating surface, and the design is normally set by the bridge
engineer.

Bridges move. Heat expands the deck, cold shrinks it, and traffic
loads cause rotation. If the structure is held rigidly, forces build up
and cause damage. Sliding bearings solve this by letting one part slide
on another with very little friction. PTFE is the standard sliding
material because it has one of the lowest friction coefficients of any
solid.

Free engineering tools

Plastic weight calculator — Work out the weight of PTFE Bridge Bearing Slide Plates sheets, rods and tubes in kg
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Table of Contents

How a sliding bearing works

A PTFE sheet is recessed or bonded into a steel plate. It slides
against a polished stainless steel surface. When the deck moves, the
stainless plate slides over the PTFE with low resistance. The bearing
also carries the vertical load of the deck, so the PTFE must survive
high contact pressure without squeezing out.

Why PTFE

very low friction, so horizontal forces are small
stable in outdoor conditions and temperature swings
does not absorb water
long service life when kept clean and correctly loaded

Design points that affect
performance

Recess depth: PTFE is usually held in a recess so
it cannot flow sideways under load.
Mating surface: stainless steel must be smooth and
clean. Scratches and dirt wear the PTFE.
Contact pressure: designers limit the pressure on
the PTFE. The limit depends on the PTFE type and the governing
standard.
Dimpled PTFE: some designs use dimples that hold
lubricant, which further reduces friction.
Sliding distance: long travel means more wear, so
the thickness must suit the design life.

Related components

PTFE slide plates are often used with elastomeric or pot bearings.
For the rubber side, see bridge bearing pads and neoprene bearing pads.

What to specify when
ordering

the governing standard or specification of the project
PTFE size, thickness and recess details
plain or dimpled
quantity and delivery schedule
test certificates required

The design and approval of bridge bearings sits with the project
engineer, so share the approved drawing with the supplier. Diode Trading
EST supplies PTFE products across Saudi Arabia, and every order ships
with a Material Test Certificate. request a quote

Handling on site

Keep PTFE and stainless surfaces clean and protected until
installation. Do not lubricate with unapproved grease. Check that the
bearing is installed level and in the specified position.

Installation and inspection

Bridge bearings are installed to the engineer’s method. In general
the PTFE and stainless steel faces must be protected from dust, grit,
grease and weld spatter until the bearing is in place, because dirt
trapped between the faces scratches the surfaces and increases friction.
Check that the bearing is level, correctly aligned in the direction of
movement and fixed to the bearing plates as specified. During
maintenance inspections, look for dirt, damage to the stainless surface
and signs that the PTFE has been squeezed out of its recess.

Quality documents to request

Ask for the material test certificate with each batch, dimensions as
drawn, and any test evidence the project specification requires. Keep
these with the bearing records, because bridge components are usually
inspected and recorded.

Common mistakes to avoid

using general-purpose PTFE sheet where the specification calls for a
particular bearing-grade PTFE
ignoring the recess depth, which controls how the PTFE is
confined
leaving the stainless steel plate unprotected during storage and
installation
assuming a thicker PTFE is always better; the design calculation
decides this

FAQ

Why is PTFE used in bridge bearings? For its very
low friction and stability, which let the deck move freely.

What does PTFE slide against? Polished stainless
steel in most designs.

Can any PTFE be used? No. Use the grade and
thickness called for in the project specification.

What is dimpled PTFE? Sheet with small recesses that
hold lubricant to reduce friction.

Products related to this article

Diode Trading EST supplies these PTFE (Teflon) Products from stock in Dammam, with delivery across Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

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