D-glide^® P composite material

Reliable bearings for semi-static applications

D-glide^® P is a durable, maintenance-free bearing material specially developed for semi-static applications. It is the base grade in the D-glide^® product family and is ideal for situations where parts are subjected to high loads with little or slow movement.

Thanks to its combination of strength, flexibility, and built-in solid lubrication, D-glide^® P offers a long-lasting alternative to traditional bearing materials such as steel or bronze.

What makes D-glide^® P unique?

D-glide^® P is a composite material made from high-quality synthetic fibres, a thermoset polyester resin, solid lubricants, and carefully selected additives. This combination results in a material that is strong yet elastic, able to withstand high loads while absorbing stress, eventual shock loads and limited misalignment.

One of the key benefits of D-glide^® P is that it is self-lubricating. The solid lubricant is embedded within the material, so it provides low-friction movement without the need for oil or grease. This makes it an excellent solution for areas where regular maintenance is difficult or undesirable.

Because D-glide^® P is non-metallic, it also acts as an electrical insulator. This means it will not contribute to galvanic corrosion when used with steel or other metals, which is a benefit in many on- and offshore applications.

Typical applications with D-glide^® P

D-glide^® P is designed for semi-static use, applications where there may be high loads, but limited or no movement, such as:

Structural bearings in bridges, locks and other (civil) structures
Insulation bushings in any application that enable smooth installation or removal of pins in a structure, even after long periods of use in offshore applications
Hinges and pivots in large on- and offshore structures
Support bearings in lifting equipment or mechanical linkages
Mounting blocks or gliding surfaces where space is limited and lubrication is not possible

While D-glide^® P can handle common movement, it is not intended for continuous high-speed motion or long-term use in wet or high-temperature environments. For those situations, we recommend other grades such as D-glide^® F, which offers better performance and lifetime under water or at elevated temperatures.

Design support

Designing with composite materials like D-glide^® P is different from working with metal bearings. Things like surface pressure, alignment and heat buildup need to be considered carefully to get the best performance from the material.

At DRIE-D, we have years of experience in composite bearing solutions. We are happy to support you in developing or improving your design. Whether you are working on a new application or looking to upgrade an existing bearing setup, we can help you find the right solution.

Key benefits of D-glide^® P

High load capacity – suitable for applications with heavy and uneven loads
High elasticity – absorbs shock loads and
tolerates misalignment
Self-lubricating – no need for oil or grease
Low friction – ensures smooth and quiet movement
Friendly to counterface material – reduces wear on shafts or contact parts
Non-metallic and insulating – electrically insulating which prevents 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

Fill out our contact form below to request the material data sheet of D-glide^® F.

To schedule a brief online meeting with one of engineers, please click here.

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.