D-glide^® FC composite material

Engineered for abrasive and demanding environments

D-glide^® FC is the specialised D-glide^® grade for dynamic applications exposed to abrasive conditions, contaminated environments or long sliding distances. conditions, contaminated environments or long sliding distances. This variant of D-glide^® is based on the same composition as D-glide^® F, with additives in the resin that significantly increase the resistance to abrasive wear.

With its built in solid lubrication, D-glide^® FC provides smooth, maintenance free operation without the need for oil or grease. Its negligible water absorption, excellent chemical resistance and suitability for continuous use in seawater make it a reliable choice for demanding onshore and offshore applications.

What makes D-glide^® FC unique?

D-glide^® FC is a high performance composite material made from advanced synthetic fibres, thermoset vinyl ester resin, solid lubricants and specific additives that enhance abrasion resistance. These additives increase the material’s resistance to abrasive wear by up to ten times compared to D-glide^® F, while maintaining the mechanical strength and elasticity required for high load applications.

The material withstands high loads, shock loads and limited misalignment. The vinyl ester resin ensures stable mechanical performance at elevated temperatures and minimal creep over time. The embedded PTFE lubricant provides low friction values without the need for additional lubrication.

With excellent chemical resistance and negligible water absorption, D-glide^® FC performs reliably in harsh environments, including submerged applications. Being non metallic and electrically insulating, it does not initiate or accelerate galvanic corrosion when used in contact with steel or other metals.

Typical applications of D-glide^® FC

D-glide^® FC is designed for dynamic applications where abrasive wear, contamination or long sliding distances are critical factors. Typical applications include:

Dredging equipment operating in abrasive environments containing sand, rocks and other debris.
Agricultural machinery operating in contaminated environments with dust, soil and abrasive particles with long service intervals.
Sliding and oscillating bearings in dredging equipment exposed to sand and abrasive particles.
Articulation points and bearings in offshore and marine structures.
Mooring systems and submerged bearings with demanding lifetime requirements.
Cranes, winches and heavy lifting equipment designed for long sliding distances and minimal maintenance.
Bearings in industrial applications where dirt, debris or abrasive media are present

Thanks to its extremely high resistance to abrasive wear, D-glide^® FC offers a long term, maintenance free alternative to traditional materials such as bronze, steel or standard composite bearings.

Design support

Composite bearings require a different design approach compared to traditional metallic bearings. Surface pressure, alignment, environmental conditions, sliding velocity and heat dissipation all influence performance and lifetime.

DRIE-D supports engineers in selecting the correct D-glide^® grade and designing a reliable bearing arrangement for demanding applications. Whether you are developing a new system or upgrading an existing design, we can help you make technically sound choices based on experience and proven application data.

Key benefits of D-glide^® FC

Excellent resistance – long lifetime in contaminated applications
High-load capacity – for demanding dynamic applications
High elasticity – to absorb misalignment
Self-lubricating – for maintenance free operation
Low friction – for smooth sliding behaviour
Negligible water absorption – suitable for submerged use
High chemical resistance – in harsh environments
Non-metallic and insulating, – preventing galvanic corrosion

Our D-glide^® grades

There are four grades of D-glide^® , each tailored to specific applications:

D-glide^® F is the standard grade for all dynamic applications and an excellent maintenance free alternative for traditional steel or (self-lubricating) bronze bearings.
D-glide^® FT has a special sliding layer, which is the clearly distinguishable greenish layer. D-glide^® FT has the lowest possible friction with minimal difference between static and dynamic friction.
D-glide^® FC has additional additives in the resin that increase the abrasive wear resistance of the material by up to ten times compared to D-glide^® F.
D-glide^® P is suitable for all semi-static applications and an excellent maintenance free alternative for traditional steel or (self-lubricating) bronze bearings.

Discover more about each grade on the dedicated pages.

Request our material data sheets

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Applications

At DRIE-D we like setting new standards for heavy loads or harsh operation, environmental safe and maintenance friendly. Highly specialized in mechanical motion, we provide a smooth solution for your rough challenge! Our engineers are experienced and specialized to design solutions in these fields.