D-glide^® FT composite material

Ultra-low friction for dynamic applications

D-glide® FT is the specialised D-glide® grade for dynamic applications where the lowest possible friction and smooth sliding behaviour are essential. It combines high compressive strength with the elasticity needed to accommodate limited misalignments without damage.

Its distinctive sliding layer contains extra PTFE content in its fabric, providing ultra-low friction values with minimal difference between static and dynamic friction. This ensures smooth, maintenance-free operation without the need for oil or grease, even in demanding onshore and offshore environments. Its negligible water absorption and excellent chemical resistance make it suitable for long-term use, including submerged conditions.

What makes D-glide^® FT unique?

D-glide^® FT is a high-performance composite material made from advanced synthetic fibres, thermoset vinyl ester resin, solid lubricants and a specially developed sliding layer with an increased PTFE content. This sliding layer is clearly recognisable by its greenish colour and provides friction values that are significantly lower than standard composite materials.

The material combines high compressive strength with the elasticity needed to absorb stress due to misalignment. Due to the vinyl ester resin, it retains its mechanical strength at elevated temperatures and shows minimal creep over time.

The embedded PTFE lubricant ensures extremely low friction without active lubrication, while the special sliding layer minimises the difference between static and dynamic friction. This reduces the risk of stick slip, even at very low speeds. With negligible water absorption and excellent chemical resistance, D-glide^® FT can be used in virtually any environment, including continuous operation in seawater. As a non metallic and electrically insulating material, it does not contribute to galvanic corrosion.

Typical applications of D-glide^® FT

D-glide^® FT is designed for dynamic applications where extremely low friction and smooth sliding behaviour are required, especially in environments where lubrication is not possible or not desired. Typical applications include:

DNV certified for mooring systems
Hinges, pivots and guides in marine and offshore structures
Motion compensation units and floating systems
Oscillating components that must operate reliably at low speeds
Bearings exposed to long sliding distances or demanding environmental conditions

Thanks to its ultra-low friction and stable sliding behaviour, D-glide^® FT offers a reliable long term alternative to traditional materials such as steel, bronze or standard self lubricating composites.

Design support

Designing bearings with composite materials like D-glide^® FT requires a different approach compared to traditional steel or bronze solutions. Factors such as surface pressure, alignment, thermal effects and sliding velocity influence the performance and lifetime of the bearing.

With extensive experience in composite bearing design, DRIE-D supports engineers in selecting the correct grade and designing a reliable solution for any dynamic application. Whether you need advice during the early concept phase or guidance for upgrading an existing bearing arrangement, our team can help you make the right technical choices.

Key benefits of D-glide^® FT

Ultra-low friction – for smooth and consistent movement
Minimal difference between static and dynamic friction – to minimie the risk of stick-slip
High load capacity – for demanding dynamic applications
High elasticity – to tolerate misalignment and absorb shock loads
Self-lubricating – no oil or grease required
Negligible water absorption – for submerged conditions
High chemical resistance – in harsh environments
Non-metallic and insulating – prevents galvanic corrosion
Friendly to counterface materials – reducing wear on shafts

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.