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 Glacier Garlock Bearings is the manufacturer of GAR-FIL and GAR-MAX filament wound, high load self-lubricating bearings.

To meet the need for high load, self-lubricating bearings that provide low wear rates in a wide variety of applications, Garlock Bearings has developed two unique lines of filament wound, composite self-lubricating bearings: GAR-FIL and GAR-MAX. These bearings combine the excellent lubricating properties of filled PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) with the high strength and stability of an oriented glass fibre wound structure.

Both GAR-FIL and GAR-MAX bearings employ a tough, high strength composite structure consisting of epoxy-impregnated, wound glass fibres oriented to provide the radial and axial strength required to support high bearing loads. The two bearing lines differ in their distinctive bearing surfaces: GAR-FIL, with a proprietary-filled PTFE tape liner bonded to the backing. GAR-MAX, with a bearing surface liner of wound PTFE and high strength fibres encapsulated by an epoxy resin that has been further enhanced with a self-lubricating filler.

 Wide Range of Sizes

GAR-FIL and GAR-MAX bearings are available in standard sizes from 3/4" to 5" ID with wall thicknesses of 1/8" and 1/4", including specified standard or special lengths up to 16''. On special order, ID sizes from 1" to 8" can be furnished with wall thicknesses from 1/16" to 1/2".

Metric size bearings are available in standard sizes from 20 to 150 mm with a 2.5mm or 5mm wall.

Other sizes are available by request.

 Wide Application Range

Laboratory and field testing have indicated that both bearing types provide outstanding performance in a variety of dry or lubricated bearing applications and are ideal for many 'tough' bearing applications. These include off-the-road vehicles, agricultural and automotive equipment, windmills, materials handling equipment valves, textile equipment, processing equipment, packaging machinery, and many more.

Gar-Max is used at the pivot points of the above robotic arm and bin tipper.

 Low Friction Operation

GAR-FIL and GAR-MAX bearings are particularly ejective in applications where the relative motion is not sufficient to promote circulation of the oil or grease used with more conventional bearings. The natural lubricity of the PTFE used in the bearing surfaces assures low friction in dry applications. In fact, in low speed, high pressure type applications, the GAR-FIL bearings offer one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any self-lubricated bearing.


 Outstanding Dimensional Stability

Unlike many conventional non-metallic bearing materials, the high strength composite bearing structure of GARFIL and GAR-MAX bearings offers a thermal expansion rate similar to that of steel. This assures maximum dimensional stability and positive housing retention, even at elevated temperatures.

 How does GAR-FIL & GAR-MAX compare with:

		Max. Operating Temperature	Max. Dynamic Capacity
	Bronze
	Cast Bronze	80°C (with lubrication)	6,000 psi
	Sintered Bronze	80°C (oil impregnated)	4,000 psi
	Alloyed Bronze	95°C (with lubrication)	10,000 psi
	Steel-Backed Bronze	95°C (with lubrication)	3,500 psi
	Composite Materials
	Fabric-Reinforced Phenolic	95°C	6,000 psi
	Reinforced Teflon	260°C	2,000 psi
	GAR-MAX	165°C	20,000 psi
	GAR-FIL	200 °C	20,000 psi

• Max. Static Load: 210 MPa (30000 psi)

• Max. Dynamic Load: 140 MPa (20000 psi)

• Ultimate Compressive Strength: 415 MPa (60000 psi)

• Max. Operating Speed: 0.13 m/s (25 sfpm)

• Working Temperature Range: -195 – 200 °C

 Fact Sheets (in Adobe® Acrobat PDF format) on the bearing material can be downloaded by clicking on the following links: GAR-FIL / GAR-MAX