Self-lubricating bearing and the like, and method of making same
First Claim
1. A composition particularly suitable for being molded into structural members which are dimensionally stable and have a low coefficient of friction comprising a substantially homogeneous blend of from about 70% to about 95% of a substantially linear ultra high molecular weight ethylene polymer, and from about 5% to about 30% of a normally solid lubricant selected from the group consisting of waxes, fats and mixtures thereof, and mixtures of one or both of said lubricants with a grease, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Self-lubricating bearings, such as journal-type bearings are obtained by molding under pressure at elevated temperatures a substantially homogeneous blend of from about 70 to 95% of an ultra high molecular weight ethylene polymer and from about 5 to 30% of a normally solid lubricant which can be a wax, fat or mixtures thereof, or a mixture of either or both of these lubricants with a grease. The bearings exhibit excellent dimensional stability, good wear resistance, and a surface which is not oily to the touch. The bearings are self-lubricating, slowly releasing lubricant at temperatures developed in ordinary use.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A composition particularly suitable for being molded into structural members which are dimensionally stable and have a low coefficient of friction comprising a substantially homogeneous blend of from about 70% to about 95% of a substantially linear ultra high molecular weight ethylene polymer, and from about 5% to about 30% of a normally solid lubricant selected from the group consisting of waxes, fats and mixtures thereof, and mixtures of one or both of said lubricants with a grease, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
- 10. A structural member having dimensional stability and a low coefficient of friction in the form of a tough, rigid, solid body comprising from about 70% to about 95% of an ultra high molecular weight ethylene polymer having dispersed therein from about 5% to about 30% of a normally solid lubricant selected from the group consisting of waxes, fats and mixtures thereof, and mixtures of one or both of said lubricants with a grease, said percentages being by weight based on the total weight of said polymer and lubricant.
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21. A method of making a composition particularly suited for being molded into structural members which are dimensionally stable and have a low coefficient of friction comprising the steps of:
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(a) heating a normally solid lubricant selected from the group consisting of waxes, fats and mixtures thereof, and mixtures of one or both of said lubricants with a grease, to form a liquid, (b) heating a finely-divided ultra high molecular weight ethylene polymer to a temperature above the temperature of said liquid lubricant, but below the temperature at which said polymer softens, (c) mixing said lubricant and polymer together to form a homogeneous blend comprising from about 5% to about 30%, by weight, of said lubricant and from about 70% to about 95%, by weight, of said polymer, and (d) cooling said homogeneous blend to obtain a homogeneous powder suitable for molding structural members. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification