Vesconite shows half the friction of bronze, is able to operate without grease oil and operates very effectively under water. Vesconite can give up to 10 times longer life under dirty conditions. The cost of Vesconite has become increasingly competitive against bronze. Vesconite cannot handle the same loads and speeds, as lower heat dissipation can result in overheating.

Some data on phosphor bronze vs Vesconite:

• Design loading = bronze 80 MPa / Vesconite 30 MPa
• Maximum recommended continuous operating temperature = 200 Deg C / Vesconite 100 Deg C.

Vesconite has much higher wear resistance, higher load carrying capacity and higher surface speed limits than nylon, owing to Vesconite's greater compression strength, higher hardness and lower friction. Vesconite's water absorption is negligible compared with 9% for nylon and its thermal expansion is nearly half that of nylon. Vesconite does not swell and soften like nylon, due to moisture absorption from its atmosphere or wet environments. Thus seizure caused by swelling due to moisture, which is often a problem with nylon, is not experienced with Vesconite. Vesconite can be used with much finer tolerances and clearances, owing to much better dimensional stability. Vesconite's chemical resistance to acids and solvents is much better. Vesconite machines more easily. Vesconite causes less wear to shafts and pins than nylon. Vesconite has poor resistance to alkalis and to hot water/steam.

Some data on nylon 6 vs Vesconite:

• Design loading: Nylon 20 MPa / Vesconite 30 MPa
• Thermal expansion: Nylon 10 mm/mm/oC x 10-5 / Vesconite 6 mm/mm/oC x 10-5
• Water absorption (saturated): Nylon 9% / Vesconite 0.5%
• Maximum recommended continuous operating temperature: Nylon 100oC / Vesconite 100oC

Vesconite has much higher wear resistance, higher load carrying capacity and higher surface speed limits than acetal, together with better dimensional stability and lower friction. Vesconite can be used with much finer tolerances and clearances, owing to much better dimensional stability. Vesconite's chemical resistance to acids and solvents is much better. Vesconite machines more easily.

Some data on polyacetal (POM) vs Vesconite :

• Tensile yield strength = acetal 65MPA / Vesconite 80
• Design loading = acetal 25 MPa / Vesconite 30 MPa
• Thermal expansion = acetal 10 mm/mm/oC x 10-5 / Vesconite 6 mm/mm/oC x 10-5
• Water absorption (saturated) = acetal 0.8% / Vesconite 0.5%
• Maximum operating temperature continuous = acetal 100oC / Vesconite 100oC

Vesconite has much higher load limits and much greater dimensional stability due to its much greater compression strength and much lower thermal expansion. Vesconite is suitable for higher speed operation. Vesconite is available in a much wider range of bushings, bushes and moulded semi- or finished parts. Vesconite has lower impact strength and flexibility.

Some data on UHMWPE vs Vesconite:

• Maximum design loading = UHMWPE 10 MPa / Vesconite 30 MPa
• Thermal expansion = UHMWPE 20 mm/mm/oC x 10-5 / Vesconite 6 mm/mm/oC x 10-5
• Maximum operating temperature continuous = UHMWPE 50 Deg C / Vesconite 100 Deg C

Vesconite has a longer wear life. Vesconite has lower friction and is better able to operate without lubrication, with lower wear. Vesconite is not subject to delaminating. Vesconite costs less. Vesconite has lower temperature limits. Vesconite has a higher thermal expansion coefficient.

Some data on Phenolic laminates vs Vesconite:

• Maximum design loading = phenolic laminates 40 MPa / Vesconite 30 MPa
• Thermal expansion = phenolic laminates 2 mm/mm/Deg C x 10-5 / Vesconite 6 mm/mm/Deg C x 10-5
• Water absorption (saturated) = phenolic laminates 1% / Vesconite 0.5%
• Maximum continuous operating temperature = phenolic laminates 130 Deg C / Vesconite 100 Deg C

Vesconite is a far superior bearing material. It can take very much greater loads, and is far more resistant to wear, and in particular resistant to dirt. However, PTFE is often used in aggressive chemical environments, which Vesconite may not be able to withstand.

• Vesconite is much harder wearing and thus lasts longer in the presence of dirt.
• Vesconite is not limited to a very superficial layer as is the case with coated steel strip bearings.
• Vesconite can be machined to size and shape.
• Vesconite generally costs less, especially for larger bushes.
• Vesconite causes much less wear to shafts.

• Vesconite gives a longer service life at a lower cost in blue water conditions.
• Vesconite results in lower wear on the shaft.
• Vesconite has a much lower friction.