Composite bearings are well established in a wide range of applications, particularly where low friction and reduced maintenance are priorities.

But once operating conditions become more demanding, especially where higher temperatures and aggressive chemicals are involved, material selection becomes more challenging.

That’s where Tufcot® N800G comes into play.

Where Conventional Materials Start to Struggle

Traditional materials like bronze and steel perform well in many environments, but they come with limitations. Corrosion, reliance on lubrication and weight all need to be considered, particularly in wet or contaminated conditions.

Standard composite materials remove some of these issues but they also have their limits. Temperature resistance and chemical compatibility can become a constraint once you move beyond typical operating ranges.

In practice, the challenge is rarely one factor in isolation. It’s the combination of load, temperature and aggressive media that causes problems over time.

What Makes Tufcot® N800G Different

Tufcot® N800G has been developed to operate in these more demanding environments.

It combines high temperature capability with improved resistance to a wide range of chemicals, allowing it to perform where standard materials would begin to break down.

  • Capable of operating at a constant temperature of 180ºC
  • Capable of operating at a intermittent temperature of over 200ºC
  • Enhanced chemical capability especially for extreme pH applications

At the same time, it retains the core benefits expected from a composite bearing material. Low friction, good wear characteristics and dimensional stability all remain key advantages.

The result is a material that can be considered for applications that would traditionally have been ruled out for composites.

Typical Applications

We are seeing Tufcot® N800G used across a range of industries where conditions are more severe including:

  • Steel processing – elevated temperatures combined with chemical exposure

  • Pump bearings – handling fluids that introduce wear, heat, or chemical challenges

  • Water treatment systems – continuous operation in wet and often aggressive environments

  • Chemical handling – exposure to acids, bases, and contaminated media

In each case, it’s the combination of factors that drives material selection.

Specifying for Performance

Tufcot® N800G extends the range of applications where composite bearings can be used with confidence.

But as with any bearing material, performance depends on the application.

Tufcot® N800G is not about a direct like-for-like replacement, but about selecting the right material for the conditions it will operate in. Clearances, fits and operating parameters all need to be considered properly.

Our technical team works closely with customers to review these details and ensure the material is applied correctly.

If you’re reviewing a bearing application in a more demanding environment, it’s worth having that conversation early.