Calculator for Load capacity and Stiffenss of guide rings

Load capacity and squeeze of polymer bearing rings

Piston diameter D

10^-3 m

Ring width L

10^-3 m

Ring thickness s

10^-3 m

Elastic indentation at the center of contact δ/s

Radial bearing clearance dR

10^-3 m

Modulus of elasticity E

MPa

Semi contact axis b/R=2b/D

Angle of contact φ

deg.

Mean bearing pressure p_m = F/(2bB)

MPa

Average bearing pressure F/(LD)

MPa

Local max bearing pressure p_max

MPa

Load capacity F

Stiffness F/δ

10⁶ N/m

Guide rings or wear rings are resilient, wear resistant thermoplastic bearings designed to support and guide the rod or piston in a cylinder. These guide rings are especially important in applications where heavy side loadings are unavoidable. The clearance between the guide ring and cylinder is kept small to avoid deformation of the piston or rod seals.

The modulus of elasticity E can best be established by measuring the deflection of a piece of a strip compressed between two parallel surfaces. The modulus of elasticity can be calculated with E=p/(δ/s) where p is the bearing pressure.