Fluoroglide® Slide Bearings are superior to conventional expansion plates, rollers and rocker arms, because they accommodate expansion and contraction, as well as other reciprocating motions of thermal, seismic or differential forces. They are used to control and isolate vibration.
Such bearings operate at high loads and low speeds, and it is under these conditions, together with its no stick slip and anti-weathering characteristics, that the self-lubricating properties of Fluorinoid® PTFE are at a maximum, they can be used in the construction process or as part of the structure itself.
Applications
Fluorinoid® FL100 dimple PTFE is available to the EN1337 specification, Fluorocarbon can supply sheets or formed sections for use in spherical bearings as used under the Thelwall Viaduct M6 bridge.
Fluoroglide® Slide Bearings were specified for use on the Queensferry crossing (Forth Road Bridge) to move the bridge segment tooling in the casting shop with maximum flexibility to an extract position for pouring concrete.
Fluoroglide® Slide Bearings were used by the contractor to move a new section of the Grand Union Canal, crossing the North Circular Road. This was a 24 hour operation to replace a new section without danger or delays to the road closure below.
A temporary Skidway was constructed to move the Euro Tunnel boring machine into place way below ground level.
To find out how we can support your projects contact info@fluorocarbon.co.uk
In oil and gas operations, where equipment runs continuously in some of the harshest environments on earth, reliability is everything. Unplanned downtime can cost operators hundreds of thousands per hour, impact production targets, and create significant safety risks.
Bridges, link-spans, walkways and access bridges used offshore (e.g. between oil & gas platforms, between a platform and a gangway, or between marine structures) face uniquely harsh conditions: salt spray, temperature swings, dynamic loads from wave motion and wind, and sometimes corrosive marine atmosphere. That's where offshore bridge bearings come into play.
In the oil and gas sector, sealing components operate under some of the toughest conditions on earth. Extreme pressures, corrosive chemicals, broad temperature swings and the constant risk of downtime. Selecting the right material is critical for safety, efficiency and long-term reliability.
The oil and gas industry operates at the intersection of extreme loads, harsh environments and zero-tolerance for failure. From topside decks and jackets to subsea structures, every moving or sliding interface must deliver predictable, low-friction performance across decades.
Renewable energy infrastructure must endure some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Offshore wind farms face relentless salt spray, extreme temperature shifts, and high mechanical loads.
The global energy landscape is evolving rapidly. Hydrogen, solar, and wind energy are no longer niche technologies, they are central to achieving a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The global shift toward hydrogen as a clean energy source brings exciting opportunities and equally demanding engineering challenges.
As the world accelerates toward cleaner energy, hydrogen has emerged as a key player in the global transition. Among the challenges, effective sealing stands out as a critical factor, and this is where advanced polymers make the difference.
In the aerospace industry, reliability is non-negotiable. From protecting components against extreme temperatures to ensuring long-lasting performance in corrosive or high-stress environments, coatings play a vital role in aircraft and spacecraft systems.
The aerospace industry demands materials and components that can withstand extreme conditions while delivering reliability, efficiency, and safety.
The aerospace industry is evolving at a rapid pace. From reusable spacecraft to ever-smaller, high-performance satellites, the demands placed on materials have never been greater.
When it comes to aerospace engineering, every gram counts. Whether in the skies or beyond Earth’s atmosphere, weight reduction, durability, and reliability are mission-critical.
The semiconductor industry relies on some of the most advanced technologies in the world to create the tiny, complex circuits that power everything from smartphones to satellites.
In semiconductor manufacturing, wet process systems play a critical role in wafer cleaning, etching, and surface preparation.
In aerospace engineering, where every gram matters and reliability is non-negotiable, material selection can mean the difference between flight and failure.
In high-stakes industries such as oil and gas, renewable energy, semiconductor, and aerospace, the choice of material isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a business-critical one.
As the demand for smaller, faster, and more powerful electronic devices continues to grow, the semiconductor industry constantly seeks more precise, efficient, and contamination-free manufacturing techniques.
As the world accelerates toward decarbonisation, hydrogen is emerging as a critical enabler of the clean energy transition.
Fluorocarbon supplies Fluoroglide® Bridge Bearings for link bridges, which connect and carry services between platforms. In addition to our product offering, we provide our extensive experience in on-site installation support whilst training and knowledge sharing with your engineers.
In the world of structural engineering, one of the most common challenges is dealing with the movement of structures. To counteract these forces and ensure the longevity and stability of structures, engineers incorporate slide bearings into their designs.
PTFE (also referred to as Teflon), is known for its exceptional resistance to chemicals and high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for sealing applications in harsh environments. PTFE gaskets and washers are suitable for various sealing applications.
PTFE (also referred to as Teflon) is extremely resistant to the elements. Unlike other plastics’ UV resistance that can become brittle and crack when exposed to UV radiation, PTFE remains flexible and durable, making it ideal for many applications.
Updated 29/01/2026 Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, or Teflon® as it is often referred to, is a tough, ductile material with excellent thermal properties and outstanding resistance to chemicals and the passage of electric current. PTFE has an exceptionally low coefficient of friction, believed to be lower than any other solid.
We bust some common myths around PTFE, including processing techniques, recycling, properties and uses.
When machining PTFE it’s essential to design your application with PTFE’s inherent properties in mind, it can be difficult to achieve tight machining tolerances. At Fluorocarbon, we utilise our in house compression moulding capabilities to create stock shapes for efficient machining of custom PTFE parts.
Updated 12/02/2026 Fluoropolymers share several unique properties which make them suitable for use in the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas and medical industries. PTFE, PFA and FEP are the most well-known and common fluoroplastics. So what, exactly, are their differences?
Updated 12/02/2026 Two of the most frequently specified materials are PTFE and PEEK. Understanding their differences is critical when specifying components such as seals, valve seats, bearings, insulators or structural parts.
Updated 10/02/2026 The fundamental difference between PTFE and PCTFE lies in their chemical structure. In PCTFE, one fluorine atom in the polymer backbone is replaced with a chlorine atom. This seemingly small change results in significant differences in mechanical strength, thermal performance, processability, and end-use applications.
PTFE is a tough, non-stick, low friction material. Because of its flexibility PTFE can creep and deform under heavy loads but this can be alleviated by adding filler.
PTFE is a tough, non-stick, low-friction material, but due to its flexibility, PTFE can creep and deform under heavy loads. This can be alleviated by adding filler.
What is PTFE coating? PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), the original fluoropolymer, is a tough yet flexible, material with great electrically insulating properties and excellent resistance to chemicals; it has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid.…
High-Performance Plastic, High-Temperature Plastic, High-Performance Thermoplastic, High-Performance Polymer…However you refer to this range of materials, what makes them different to other types of plastic?
Updated 10/02/2026 PTFE/Teflon: Properties, Structure, and Performance Explained Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a tough, flexible, non-resilient thermoplastic best known for its exceptional chemical resistance, outstanding thermal stability, and extremely low coefficient of friction.…