wovenglide® PTFE Fabric Bearing Bushing – Self-Lubricating Woven Fabric Bearings by VIIPLUS

When industrial machinery must handle high loads, constant oscillation, vibration, and harsh contamination, ordinary bushings often fall short. Greased bronze bushings need maintenance. Solid polymer bushings can cold-flow under pressure. Hardened steel bushings require regular lubrication and attract abrasive dirt.

wovenglide® by VIIPLUS is the high-performance answer. It is a self-lubricating sliding bearing and metal fiber bearing series engineered with advanced woven liner technology. Available as PTFE fabric bearing bushings, woven PTFE self-lubricating fabric bearings, and fiber bushing bearings,

wovenglide

® delivers maintenance-free operation, high load capacity, corrosion resistance, and long service life.

Whether you need a standard sleeve bushing, a wrapped bushing, a thrust washer, or a custom plain bearing in inch or metric sizes, VIIPLUS provides factory-direct solutions for demanding industrial applications.

What Is a wovenglide® PTFE Fabric Bearing Bushing?

A wovenglide® PTFE fabric bearing bushing is a multi-layer composite plain bearing. Its sliding surface is made from a woven fabric liner containing PTFE fibers and high-strength secondary fibers. The liner is bonded to a rigid backing using a thermosetting resin adhesive.

This structure combines the best properties of different materials:

  • PTFE fibers provide ultra-low friction and self-lubricating performance.

  • High-strength fibers add mechanical strength and resist cold flow.

  • The rigid backing provides structural integrity and allows press-fit installation.

wovenglide® is part of the VIIPLUS self-lubricating bearing family, which also includes metal fiber reinforced bearing technology. Depending on the series and application, wovenglide® bearings can be supplied with woven PTFE fabric liners, metal fiber liners, carbon steel backing, stainless steel 316 backing, or bronze backing.

Common configurations include:

  • Sleeve bushings

  • Wrapped bushings

  • Thrust washer bearings

  • Wear plates

  • Split guide bushings

  • Inch and metric sizes

Built in Layers for High-Load, Maintenance-Free Performance

1. The Woven Liner – The Self-Lubricating Surface

The liner is the contact surface. It consists of interwoven PTFE fibers and a secondary structural fiber such as glass fiber, PTFE, or polyester. The PTFE provides a low coefficient of friction, while the secondary fiber prevents deformation under sustained load.

2. The Adhesive Layer – The Bonding System

A high-strength thermosetting resin bonds the woven liner to the backing. This keeps the liner securely in place under extreme load, vibration, and oscillation.

3. The Backing – The Structural Core

The backing gives the bearing its strength and allows it to be press-fit into a housing. Common backing materials include:

  • Carbon Steel – cost-effective strength

  • Stainless Steel 316 – superior corrosion resistance

  • Bronze – good conductivity and corrosion resistance

This layered construction creates a bearing that offers the low friction of PTFE with the high load capacity of a metal shell.

How wovenglide® Self-Lubrication Works

During initial run-in cycles, a microscopic amount of PTFE transfers from the woven liner onto the mating shaft. This creates a thin, stable solid lubricant film.

After that, the contact becomes PTFE sliding on a PTFE film. The coefficient of friction can be as low as 0.03 to 0.15, eliminating the need for external grease or oil for the life of the bearing.

This is true dry-running self-lubrication—not just a marketing term.

Key Benefits of wovenglide® Fiber Bushing Bearings

  • Maintenance-free operation – no grease, no oil, no daily lubrication

  • High load capacity – efficient in the 2,000 to 10,000 psi range, with dynamic capacity up to 20,000 psi

  • Cold flow resistance – woven fibers prevent deformation under sustained load

  • Corrosion resistance – available with stainless steel 316 backing

  • Vibration and noise dampening – smooth operation in oscillating applications

  • Contaminant resistance – no grease to attract dirt or dust

  • Compact and lightweight – compared with solid bronze or steel bearings

  • Customizable – sizes, tolerances, materials, and designs tailored to your application

wovenglide® vs. Traditional Bearings

Feature wovenglide® / Woven PTFE Sintered Bronze Solid Polymer Greased Steel
Lubrication Self-lubricating dry Oil-impregnated Self-lubricating dry Requires grease
Load Capacity Very High High Low to Medium Very High
Dynamic Friction Very Low Low Low Low with grease
Cold Flow Resistance Excellent Excellent Poor to Fair Excellent
Contaminant Resistance Excellent Fair Good Poor
Maintenance None Low None High
Corrosion Resistance Good to Excellent Fair to Good Excellent Poor unless stainless

wovenglide® outperforms sintered bronze because it will not bleed out lubricant at high temperatures or clog with dust. It outperforms solid polymer because it handles much higher static and dynamic loads without cold flow. It outperforms greased steel because it eliminates maintenance and the mess that attracts abrasive contaminants.

Popular wovenglide® Bearing Types

PTFE Fabric Sleeve Bushings

Cylindrical sleeve bearings for oscillation, vibration, full rotation, and linear movement. Available in inch and metric sizes.

Steel-Backed PTFE Bushings

Carbon steel or stainless steel backing with a woven PTFE liner. The most common configuration for industrial machinery.

Thrust Washer Bearings

Flat, donut-shaped bearings designed for high axial loads. Ideal for pivot joints, kingpin assemblies, and gearboxes.

Wrapped Bushings and Wear Plates

Cost-effective solutions for high-load, low-maintenance applications.

Split Guide Bushings

Custom split-type guide bushings for easier installation and replacement.

Material Combinations

wovenglide® bearings can be tailored with different liner and backing combinations:

  • PTFE / Glass Fiber – excellent all-around strength and stability

  • PTFE Fabric / High-Strength Fiber – high impact and shock resistance

  • Metal Fiber Reinforced Liner – for severe load and wear conditions

  • Carbon Steel Backing – strong, durable, cost-effective

  • Stainless Steel 316 Backing – for marine, chemical, and corrosive environments

  • Bronze Backing – for conductivity and corrosion resistance

Typical Applications

wovenglide® self-lubricating bearings are used across many industries:

  • Chemical equipment – pumps, valves, and process machinery

  • Pipelines and valves – maintenance-free pivot points

  • Farm equipment – linkages, combines, and tractor assemblies

  • Construction machinery – excavators, loaders, and backhoes

  • Material handling equipment – conveyors, lifts, and packaging systems

  • Oil and gas drilling equipment – harsh, remote, and high-load environments

  • Automotive – suspension control arms, kingpins, and shock absorber pivots

  • Marine – rudder pintles, winches, and deck hardware

Why Buy wovenglide® Bearings from VIIPLUS?

VIIPLUS is a manufacturer and supplier of self-lubricating fiber bushings, PTFE fabric bearings, and metal fiber bearings. We provide:

  • Factory-direct pricing

  • Fast shipping

  • Custom sizes and designs

  • Inch and metric specifications

  • Carbon steel, stainless steel, and bronze backing options

  • Technical support for bearing selection

Our wovenglide® bearings are engineered to meet or surpass industry standards for self-lubricating plain bearings. With true dry-running performance, they reduce maintenance costs, downtime, and total cost of ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is wovenglide®?

wovenglide® is VIIPLUS’s self-lubricating sliding bearing and metal fiber bearing series. It uses woven liner technology and is available in PTFE fabric and metal fiber configurations.

Is wovenglide® the same as fiberglass?

No. wovenglide® is a brand of self-lubricating sliding bearings. Fiberglass or fibreglass is a different material. If you are looking for bearing parts, search for “wovenglide bearing” or “VIIPLUS metal fiber bearing.”

Are wovenglide® bearings maintenance-free?

Yes. They are self-lubricating and require no external grease or oil.

What load capacity can wovenglide® bearings handle?

They perform efficiently in the 2,000 to 10,000 psi range and can handle dynamic loads up to 20,000 psi depending on the configuration.

Can I get custom sizes?

Yes. VIIPLUS supplies custom plain bearings in a wide variety of materials, sizes, tolerances, and designs.

Upgrade Your Machinery with wovenglide® PTFE Fabric Bearing Bushings

Looking for a high-load, self-lubricating bearing solution that eliminates friction, wear, and maintenance? VIIPLUS wovenglide® bearings are the answer.

Contact VIIPLUS today to learn more about our complete range of PTFE fabric bearing bushings, woven PTFE self-lubricating fabric bearings, thrust washers, and custom fiber bushing bearings.

VIIPLUS – Quality, reliability, and performance. Factory direct. Fast shipping.

Wovenglide® 316 Stainless Steel-Backed Bearings for Valves: Application Position Matrix

For valve manufacturers and maintenance engineers, corrosion is the enemy. In chemical, seawater, oil and gas, cryogenic, and high-purity valve applications, a standard carbon steel backing may not be enough. Wovenglide® bearings with 316 stainless steel backing combine a self-lubricating PTFE fabric or metal fiber liner with a corrosion-resistant 316 stainless steel base.

The result is a maintenance-free valve bearing that resists chloride attack, seawater corrosion, mild acids, and harsh process media—without grease, oil, or regular re-lubrication.

The matrix below maps typical valve application positions to recommended Wovenglide® 316 SS-backed bearing solutions.

Valve Type Application Position Motion / Function Typical Media / Environment Load & Temperature Consideration Why 316 Stainless Steel Backing Recommended Wovenglide® Product
Ball Valve Trunnion / stem bearing Rotation, oscillation Oil, gas, chemicals, seawater High radial and axial load; -50°C to +200°C Resists chlorides, H₂S, CO₂, seawater pitting 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing, thrust washer
Ball Valve Seat support / seat retainer Oscillating, static Process fluid, corrosive chemicals Medium to high load Prevents corrosion and seizure at seat contact 316 SS-backed thrust washer, wear plate
Butterfly Valve Shaft / stem bushing Rotation, oscillation Water, seawater, chemicals, slurry Medium to high radial load Excellent seawater and chemical resistance 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing, split guide bushing
Butterfly Valve Disc pivot / linkage Oscillating Corrosive media, water Medium load, vibration Avoids galvanic corrosion and rust lock-up 316 SS-backed wrapped bushing
Gate Valve Stem nut / stem guide Linear, rotation Water, oil, gas, chemicals High axial / thrust load Suitable for outdoor, offshore, and chemical service 316 SS-backed thrust washer, guide bushing
Globe Valve Stem guide / packing gland Linear, oscillating Steam, chemicals, water Medium to high load, elevated temperature Resists steam, mild acids, and oxidation 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing
Check Valve Hinge pin / disc pivot Oscillating Water, oil, gas, seawater Medium load, vibration Prevents rust and pivot sticking in seawater 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing, thrust washer
Plug Valve Plug trunnion / stem Rotation, oscillation Oil, gas, chemicals, slurry High load Resists chemical attack and washout 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing, wear plate
Control Valve Actuator linkage / stem guide Linear, oscillating Process fluids, steam, chemicals Medium to high load Stable operation without grease contamination 316 SS-backed guide bushing, thrust washer
Safety Relief Valve Disc guide / spindle guide Linear, oscillating Steam, gas, chemicals Medium load, high temperature Corrosion resistance at high temperature 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing
Diaphragm Valve Compressor / stem guide Linear Chemicals, water, food Medium load Hygienic, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing
Needle Valve Stem guide Linear, rotation Fine chemicals, gas Low to medium load Precision corrosion resistance 316 SS-backed miniature bushing
Cryogenic Valve Stem / trunnion Rotation, linear LNG, liquid nitrogen, oxygen Low temperature 316 maintains toughness at cryogenic temperatures 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing, thrust washer
Subsea / Offshore Valve Trunnion, stem, actuator Rotation, oscillation Seawater, H₂S, CO₂ High load Resists seawater and chloride stress corrosion 316 SS-backed heavy-duty bushing
Sanitary Valve Stem / actuator Linear, rotation Food, dairy, pharma Medium load Cleanable, corrosion-resistant, no grease 316 SS-backed sleeve bushing
High-Pressure Valve Stem / seat / trunnion Rotation, linear High-pressure gas / liquid Very high load 316 backing with high-strength liner 316 SS-backed heavy-duty bushing, thrust washer

Valve Bearing Selection Notes for 316 SS-Backed Wovenglide® Bearings

  • 316 / 316L stainless steel backing is recommended for seawater, chemical, offshore, subsea, cryogenic, and high-purity valve applications.

  • PTFE fabric liner provides dry-running self-lubrication and a low coefficient of friction, typically 0.03 to 0.15.

  • Metal fiber liner options are available for higher load and more severe wear conditions.

  • No grease or oil means no contamination of process media and no dirt attraction at valve stems, trunnions, or actuator linkages.

  • Thrust washers are ideal for axial loads in gate valves, ball valve seat supports, and high-pressure valve stems.

  • Split guide bushings allow easier retrofit and replacement on existing valve assemblies.

  • Custom sizes are available in inch and metric dimensions to match valve stem, trunnion, and actuator bore requirements.

Valve Applications

valve stem bushing, 316 stainless steel backed PTFE bearing, trunnion bearing for ball valves, butterfly valve shaft bushing, gate valve thrust washer, check valve pivot bushing, control valve guide bushing, subsea valve bearing, cryogenic valve bushing, chemical valve bearing, maintenance-free valve bearing, Wovenglide 316 SS backing, VIIPLUS valve bearings, self-lubricating valve bushing, corrosion-resistant valve bearing, PTFE fabric valve bearing, woven PTFE valve bushing, stainless steel backed valve bearing

contact us todat

Need a 316 stainless steel-backed Wovenglide® bearing for your valve design? VIIPLUS supplies factory-direct PTFE fabric bearing bushings, metal fiber bearings, thrust washers, and custom valve bearings in both inch and metric sizes.

 

Contact VIIPLUS today to discuss your valve application, media, load, temperature, and corrosion requirements.

Self-Lubricating Bearings

With focus on Wovenglide® Valve Bearings

Wovenglide® by VIIPLUS combines a self-lubricating PTFE fabric or metal fiber liner with a 316 stainless steel backing. The result: maintenance-free operation, high load capacity, and excellent resistance to seawater, chemicals, H₂S, and CO₂. Available as sleeve bushings, thrust washers, wear plates, and split guide bushings. Inch and metric sizes. Custom designs.

We manufacture a complete range of standard inch and metric self-lubricating bearings, including journal and thrust configurations. This unique bearing product gives users design freedom and offers cost advantages through its “maintenance-free” characteristics.

Self-lubricating thrust and journal bearings are suitable for applications where normal lubrication is difficult or costly. Wovenglide®-lined thrust and journal bearings are designed for oscillating motion, intermittent start-stop, or axial motion. They are recommended for applications combining high loads with low surface speeds. Wovenglide® products can also be used where non-lubricating fluids may be present.

More information can be found on our self-lubricating bearing engineering page.

steel backed ptfe fabric bushin

Self-lubricating. Corrosion-resistant. Custom sizes.

Tired of greasing valve stems and trunnions? Wovenglide® 316 SS-backed self-lubricating bearings are designed for ball, butterfly, gate, check, and control valves. PTFE fabric liner. 316 stainless steel backing. No grease. No maintenance. Corrosion-resistant. Factory-direct from VIIPLUS.