
Bushing and polymer coatings are vital components for the effective reduction of friction. These tribological solutions are designed to meet stringent cleanliness requirements for over 50 automotive applications, such as gearboxes, convertible tops, struts, solenoids, steering and seating systems, to mention a few.
Nowhere is this more necessary than in vehicles, where the energy of a high power engine must be relayed into speed. A bushing together with tribological coatings can be used to help lessen the amount of energy being conducted from one component to another.
Cars in particular undergo heavy strain due to regular usage, and therefore contain many bushings, as well as other types of bearing.These vital little parts are also useful because they can significantly reduce vibration in the vehicle, which helps to keep the driver and passengers comfortable.
Walter Chrysler is credited as leading the way in this area and introducing vibration-isolating mounts into vehicles.
In a car, bushings can be found in various areas. These include:
- the transmission shifter (gear stick)
- shock absorber mountings and strut mounts
- sub-frame mounts
- anti-roll bar links and mounts
- sway bar links
- control arm
- motor mounts
- ball joints
- alternator
They are an integral part of a car’s suspension system.
Self-lubricating engineered plastic bushings are mainly used to eliminate corrosion and to extend the service life of the parts.
Some bushings may be composed, partly composed, or used in addition with other materials, for instance control arm bushings, which usually consist of an outer metal sleeve, a polyurethane bushing, and an inner metal sleeve.
Without bushings and polymer coatings, the metal on metal contact within a car and within its suspension would cause noise, discomfort, heavy vibration, and wear of the tyres.
They really are a vital and hugely important part of car manufacture these days.