GGB Bearing Technology recently added EP 43 self-lubricating engineered plastic bearings to its growing list of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved products.

GGB’s EP 43 passed FAA compliance requirements in a variety of flammability and toxicity tests for interior aircraft certification, making it suitable for interior aircraft applications such as seats, hinges, latches and passenger bins. GGB’s EP™63 passed these compliance requirements in March 2017.

To assure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations 25.853 and 25.855, technical experts from the independent industry organizations CREPIM, Cofrac and Nadcap administered and certified the testing. Each organization performed FAA-designed conformity assessments for cabin and cargo compartment materials, including resistance to flame when tested to a 60- and 12-second vertical Bunson burner test.

“GGB will always do its best to offer the safest product in the market and this achievement is a reflection of that,” said Brett Ricci, Aerospace Strategic Account Manager for North America. “We consistently attempt to exceed product and process standards and, by passing these assessments, we’ve again shown our commitment to creating the best bearing materials for aerospace applications.”

GGB’s EP polymer bearings provide excellent wear resistance and low friction in dry and lubricated operating conditions over a wide range of applications. Consisting of nine different materials, the EP series of engineered plastic materials are made of a variety of resins compounded with reinforcing fibers and solid lubricant. They exhibit dimensional stability, low coefficients of friction, high compressive strength and creep resistance, low thermal expansion and good thermal conductivity.