igus builds three families of bearings that solve the same problem — friction — in different ways: iglide plain bearings, xiros plastic ball bearings and igubal self-aligning bearings. All three run lubrication-free, which makes them ideal for food, cleanroom and maintenance-free applications. This guide helps you pick the right family and material.
1. The Three igus Bearing Families
| Family | Type | Motion | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iglide | Plain (dry) bearing | Sliding on a shaft | Shafts, pivots, low-cost sliding, food-contact options |
| xiros | Plastic ball bearing | Rotating, ball-based | Rotating shafts, low noise, non-magnetic, food-contact |
| igubal | Self-aligning bearing / rod end | Pivoting, misalignment | Linkages, actuators, misaligned pivots |
2. iglide — The Plain Bearing Workhorse
iglide plain bearings run directly on a shaft with no balls and no lubrication. The key selection step is the material, since each iglide grade is engineered for a different duty:
- iglide G — the universal best-seller: high wear resistance, dirt resistance and an excellent price/performance ratio for most standard applications.
- iglide J / J200 — for use on aluminium and stainless shafts with low coefficient of friction.
- iglide A181 / A500 — FDA-compliant food-contact grades for the food industry.
- iglide X — for the toughest chemical and high-temperature environments.
iglide bearings are also available as finished components such as the J3EM-06 plain bearing.
3. xiros — Plastic Ball Bearings
xiros ball bearings combine the rotating performance of a ball bearing with polymer rings (xirodur) and glass or stainless balls — 100% lubrication-free, corrosion-resistant and non-magnetic. They suit food machinery, medical devices, cleanroom equipment and applications where steel bearings would corrode or require maintenance. Plastic cages (iglide J3) extend service life significantly in lighter-duty rotating shafts.
4. igubal — Self-Aligning Bearings and Rod Ends
igubal covers rod ends and self-aligning bearings that compensate for misalignment in linkages and actuators. Rod ends such as the EARM-08 and GERMK-08 are the maintenance-free equivalent of conventional steel rod ends — vibration-damping, corrosion-resistant and dimensionally interchangeable per DIN ISO 12240.
5. How to Choose Between the Families
- Sliding on a shaft or simple pivot → iglide. Cheapest and simplest; match the material to the duty.
- Rotating shaft with ball-bearing needs → xiros. When you need ball-bearing performance without lubrication or steel.
- Linkage, actuator or misaligned pivot → igubal. Rod ends and self-aligning bearings handle the angular freedom.
For the motion side of the same automation cell, see our igus e-chain selection guide — igus covers the whole moving assembly, from the chain that guides the cables to the bearings that carry the load.
Buying Guide for Glorient Customers
Glorient supplies genuine igus bearings across all three families with competitive pricing and worldwide delivery. To select the right bearing:
- Confirm the motion type (sliding, rotating or pivoting) and the load.
- Browse the plain & ball bearings range for the matching family and size.
- Send your shaft size, load and environment via the quote request form — our engineers will confirm the correct model and material within 24 hours.
One lubrication-free material family for sliding, rotating and pivoting — that is the igus idea, and it simplifies bearing selection to three questions: motion, load, environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between iglide, xiros and igubal?
iglide is the self-lubricating plain bearing range (bushings, flanged and thrust bearings). xiros is the ball-bearing range with polymer races and balls. igubal is the self-aligning pillow-block and rod-end bearing range. Choose by motion type: linear/rotary plain vs rolling.
How much load can a plastic (iglide) bearing handle?
iglide bearings handle moderate loads - typically up to a few tens of MPa surface pressure depending on the material. For very high loads, igus xiros ball bearings or metal bearings are required. Check the pv value (pressure × velocity) against the material datasheet.
Do igus bearings need lubrication?
No. iglide bearings are self-lubricating - the polymer contains solid lubricants embedded in the material, so they run dry and maintenance-free. This makes them ideal for food, medical and clean environments where grease is prohibited.