GGB tribological solutions move the industrial world one step closer to the future. Our products are used in tens of thousands of critical applications every day—around the planet. Our goal is to provide reliable, maintenance-free surface solutions for almost any application—no matter where those demands take our products.
GGB's diverse polymer coating solutions encompass some of the most state-of-the-art coating technologies available. Our TriboShield® product line includes seven standard formulations that cover the full spectrum of mechanical, thermal and chemical capabilities offered by today's coating materials. They can also be applied to nearly any surface, regardless of shape or material, making their potential almost endless. And when it comes to working with and enhancing the performance of your existing bearing and polymer coatings solutions, our TriboMate product line is specifically designed to be paired up— all leading to enhanced performance.
The excellent low friction and high wear resistance performance of GGB metal-polymer bearings make them ideal for hundreds of applications in numerous and diverse industries. Depending upon application requirements, metal-polymer composite bearings can be produced in many shapes and sizes.
GGB's Engineered Plastic Polymer bearings provide excellent wear resistance and low friction in both dry and lubricated operating conditions over a wide range of applications. Engineered plastic bearings are made from thermoplastic bearing material processed by injection moulding. This production method enables us to produce unlimited dimensions in accordance to our standard, and also parts with special designs and features.
GGB's Fiber Reinforced Composite products typically consists of a filament-wound, fiberglass-impregnated, epoxy backing with a variety of low-friction wear-resistant bearing linings. These self-lubricating fiber reinforced composite bearings are particularly effective in applications where the relative motion is not sufficient to promote circulation of the oil or grease used with more conventional bearings. GGB Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings are available as bushes, plates, bearing segments and special forms, depending on the particular material type.
Bimetal and metal bearings offer excellent corrosion resistance in industrial outdoor applications and in water, marine and offshore environments. GGB offers a broad range of sizes, forms and materials in monometallic and bimetallic bearings.
Engineered as a solution to conquer misalignment reduction when high demands are placed on bearings, GGB's UNI, MINI and EXALIGN® self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies offer improved equipment performance under standard bearing assemblies by reducing stress and friction. Offering superior performance in a wide variety of applications, GGB's self-aligning assemblies are available in both standard and custom configurations.
GGB has been putting the world in motion for over 120 years with industry-leading tribological bearings, coatings and assemblies. From Polymer Coatings and Metal-Polymer bearings to Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings and self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies, our solutions are specifically designed to reduce friction and optimize performance and durability.
Tribology is the science of wear, friction and lubrication, and encompasses how interacting surfaces and other tribo-elements behave in relative motion in natural and artificial systems. This includes bearing design and lubrication.
GGB’s TriboU is intended to provide the working engineer, who may or may not be a user of GGB’s surface engineered solutions, to understand and implement basic tribological concepts in the design, manufacture and use of industrial equipment.
At GGB, we aren’t afraid to take risks for our customers. We are passionate about the work we do and believe that same passion contributes to the level of innovation that can enhance human potential. We take pride in working closely with customers in the early stage of a design to think broadly and boldly, and to expand beyond traditional surface engineered solutions. We offer reliable partnerships based on trust, compassion, determination, collaboration and respect.
GGB seeks out collaborative, long-term relationships with each one of our customers. Our diverse expertise gives us a deep understanding of the challenges you face. When you partner with us early, our GGB engineering team is able to review your assemblies and make sure both the bearing and surrounding components are optimized for performance and cost-effectiveness.
GGB's Bearing Solutions for Aircraft Landing Gears
Landing gear struts absorb the shock that occurs when an aircraft lands to help achieve a smooth landing.
This shock absorption also helps to prevent bouncing during landing that could result in a loss of control of the aircraft.
Usually, two plain bearings are found as an upper bearing and lower bearing in the main landing gear structure whereas a singular bearing is found in the nose landing gear. When under these substantial loads, the surface of these strut rods can receive heat damage or ladder cracking. This type of damage can lead to landing gear failure if not addressed.
GGB DU-B self-lubricating bearings consist of a bronze backing with a porous bronze inner structure that is coated with an antifriction polymer lining. This composite bearing structure can withstand dynamic loads up to 140 MPa / 20 000 psi and temperatures up to 280°C / 535°F.
DU-B plain bearings are used in all current production of one of the world’s leading commercial aircraft manufacturers due to their uniform friction and wear properties, high load capabilities, resistance to corrosion, and increased component life.
In addition, DU-B metal-polymer plain bearings have been shown to eliminate ladder cracking and heat damage on the strut rod surface of landing gear struts.
DP4-B journal bearings offer similar properties to DU-B plain bearings with the added benefit of being lead-free. (DP4 is compliant with RoHS – Restriction of Hazardous Substances and WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directives).
GGB fiber reinforced composite bearings, such as HPMB® and HSG, have significantly better wear life than our metal-polymer bearings for pivot point and strut applications. These greaseless bearings are low weight, environmentally friendly, and offer flexible wall thickness that can be adjusted based on the application need.
The following properties and benefits make GGB DU-B self-lubricating plain bearings excellent for landing gear struts:
Our experts are ready to help you find the right solution for your specific application.