GE17-AW Elges

The GE17-AW Elges is an axial spherical plain bearing. Axial spherical plain bearings are two-piece plain bearings. They have no rolling elements, but consist of a shaft washer and a housing washer. The shaft washer has a convex surface. The housing washer has a concave inner surface. This construction gives spherical plain bearings their high load carrying capacity and capacity to accommodate misalignment.

The GE17-AW Elges has a steel-on-PTFE sliding contact which makes it maintenance-free. PTFE is a special plastic. During the run-in period of these plain bearings, particles of PTFE are deposited on the opposite running surface. They fill in the small irregularities of the inner ring surface, creating a smooth surface. As a result, the components fit each other perfectly.