PTFE Thrust Washers

GLARY supplies steel-backed PTFE thrust washers for axial sliding, in standard sizes and custom dimensions.

Steel-Backed PTFE Thrust Washers for Axial Sliding

A thrust washer sits between two faces that carry axial load or slide against each other. It separates those faces and takes the sliding wear itself, so the assembly does not need a bulky bearing housing.

GLARY PTFE thrust washers use a three-layer composite construction: a steel backing, a sintered bronze interlayer and a PTFE-based sliding layer. The steel backing carries the structural load; the sliding layer keeps friction low at the contact face.

Rotary and oscillating positions both suit this construction, especially where axial space is tight. The right material still depends on the actual load, speed, temperature and mating surface.

Standard sizes are available, and we produce custom dimensions to your drawing or stated requirements.

Three-Layer Composite Construction

Steel backing

A rigid base for the washer, and the layer that supports the composite structure.

Sintered bronze interlayer

Bonds the sliding layer to the steel backing and gives the composite its supporting layer.

PTFE-based sliding layer

The working surface that runs against the mating component. Low friction here cuts sliding resistance and lets the washer run with little or no external lubrication where conditions allow.

All three layers and the operating conditions together set what the washer can do, so the steel backing and interlayer matter as much as the PTFE sliding layer.

Where PTFE Thrust Washers Are Used

PTFE thrust washers are used at contact faces where parts see axial force or slide against each other.

Installation position	Function
Between a shaft shoulder and an adjacent rotating component	Provides a sliding face under axial contact
Between a pivot arm and its supporting face	Reduces friction during repeated oscillation
Inside a hinge or linkage assembly	Separates adjacent moving faces
Between a gear or rotating component and a housing face	Provides a plain sliding interface where the design permits
In compact mechanical assemblies	Provides a thin sliding surface within limited axial space

A thrust washer mainly handles contact along the axial direction. If the assembly also needs radial shaft support, a separate bushing or bearing is required. Since the sliding layer is a polymer, these parts are also ordered as plastic thrust washers, and a search for Teflon thrust washers lands on the same PTFE-based product.

Selecting a Suitable PTFE Thrust Washer

Operating Conditions That Matter

Axial load

The applied load and the effective contact area set the pressure on the sliding face. Check the loaded area itself, because the outside diameter on its own does not fix the pressure.

Movement and speed

Continuous rotation, intermittent movement and oscillation each produce different friction and wear conditions.

Temperature

Consider normal operating temperature and short-term peaks. The allowable range depends on the complete composite material.

Mating surface

The material, hardness, finish and flatness of the opposing surface affect wear and service life.

Installation space

The washer has to fit the available space without unwanted interference or excessive axial clearance.

Lubrication conditions

The grade you pick has to suit the intended lubrication arrangement. Confirm dry-running capability against the actual operating conditions.

Standard Sizes and Dimensions

PTFE Thrust Washer Dimensions

GLARY offers standard PTFE thrust washer sizes for designs that need a defined dimensional starting point.

The main PTFE thrust washer dimensions are listed below.

Parameter	Description
Inner diameter (ID)	Fits around the shaft or locating feature
Outer diameter (OD)	Defines the outside envelope and available sliding area
Thickness (T)	Determines the axial space required
Tolerances	Define the permitted dimensional variation

PTFE thrust washer drawing: section view with the bore d, outside diameter D and thickness T, the face view with the fixing hole h on pitch circle M, and the installed position showing D1 — PTFE thrust washer drawing. Left: section, with the bore d, outside diameter D and thickness T. Centre: face view, with the fixing hole h on pitch circle M. Right: the installed position, showing D1. Open the drawing full size.

Shaft Dia. (mm)	Size of Washer (mm)				Size For Installation (mm)
Shaft Dia. (mm)	d+0.25	D-0.25	T-0.05	M+0.12	H+0.4/-0.1	T+0.2	D+0.12
8	10	20	1.5	15	1.5	1	20
10	12	24	1.5	18	1.5	1	24
12	14	26	1.5	20	2	1	26
14	16	30	1.5	23	2	1	30
16	18	32	1.5	25	2	1	32
18	20	36	1.5	28	3	1	36
20	22	38	1.5	30	3	1	38
22	24	42	1.5	33	3	1	42
24	26	44	1.5	35	3	1	44
25	28	48	1.5	38	4	1	48
30	32	54	1.5	43	4	1	54
35	38	62	1.5	60	4	1	62
40	42	66	1.5	54	4	1	66
45	48	74	1.5	61	4	1.5	74
50	52	78	2	65	4	1.5	78
60	62	90	2	76	4	1.5	90

Check these published PTFE thrust washer sizes and tolerances against your fit before ordering. If the size you need falls outside the table, we can review it for custom production.

Custom PTFE Thrust Washers

Custom Dimensions for Your Application

Standard dimensions do not suit every assembly. As a PTFE thrust washers supplier, GLARY reviews custom PTFE thrust washers against your drawing, a sample or the dimensions you specify.

Custom requirements usually cover:

Inner diameter
Outer diameter
Thickness
Dimensional tolerances specified on the drawing
Material construction according to the required application

To assess a request we need the drawing or dimensions, plus the operating load, movement, speed, temperature and mating-surface details where you have them.

That is enough for us to say whether the proposed dimensions and material construction suit the working conditions.

Send Your Drawing for a Quote

PTFE Thrust Washers FAQ

What is the difference between a thrust washer and a thrust bearing?

A thrust washer is a plain sliding component that gives two adjacent parts a contact surface. A thrust bearing is the wider category and takes in plain and rolling-element designs. PTFE thrust bearings are plain types, and the same part often comes through under the name PTFE thrust bearing washer. Which one suits the position still depends on load, speed, friction requirements and available space.

Can a thrust washer prevent axial movement completely?

No. A thrust washer gives the assembly a contact or sliding surface, but shaft shoulders, retainers, housing features and clearances are what set how far the parts can move axially.

Why might a thrust washer wear unevenly?

Uneven wear points to misalignment, uneven face contact, shaft or housing movement, surface damage, or load concentrated on part of the washer. If the wear pattern is not uniform, check the surrounding assembly.

Does a larger outer diameter always improve load capacity?

No. A bigger outside diameter does not by itself give better performance. Effective contact area, inner diameter, face geometry, load distribution, material limits and operating conditions all feed into the result.

What should I check if a replacement washer fails prematurely?

Check whether the replacement matches the original dimensions and material construction. Then inspect the mating faces, alignment, actual load, temperature and movement. Matching the dimensions alone does not guarantee the same service life.

Need PTFE Thrust Washers for Your Design?

GLARY is a PTFE thrust washers supplier for industrial applications, with standard sizes and custom steel-backed parts made to your drawing.

Send your drawing or dimensional requirements and we will come back on the right specification for the assembly.

Request a Quote