Made with PTFE-free iglidur JGPF to ensure the low-friction and quiet operation of this drylin NT-60-4 telescopic rail.

As PFAS plastics face an uncertain future, more manufacturing companies are looking for product solutions that are PFAS-free. To offer customers a reliable and simple solution for telescopic slides, igus has developed a version of the drylin NT-60 – an aluminium telescopic rail using a plain bearing material free of PTFE and around 100 other PFAS compounds. The sliding parts are available in sizes 35 and now in size 60, in a PTFE and PFAS-free telescopic rail system. It can be extended up to two metres, for manufacturers of vehicles, furniture, and medical technology, among others.

At first glance, the drylin NT-60 telescopic rail appears to be identical to the previous version. Three interlocking aluminium profiles, only 60mm wide and 24mm high, can be extended up to two metres to pull out a large drawer in a camper or to adapt a shelving system in a living room. It is available as a full and a partial extension. The new feature is the material used in as the sliding plain bearing. “Our materials experts have succeeded in manufacturing this slide from a type of high-performance plastic called iglidur JGPF, which does not use polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),” says Rob Dumayne, drytech director at igus in Northampton.

Low-friction dry running without PTFE

“The iglidur JGPF sliding parts in the NT-60-4 rail have smooth running and dry running qualities, without requiring additional lubricants. The telescopic slides can be extended reliably, with less maintenance as well as being more hygienic than classic ball-bearing telescopic slides – and now also with no PTFE,” says Dumayne. The new material is also tested for another 100 or so PFAS compounds that igus believes will most likely be subject to future restrictions. This new telescopic rail is available now. The rail profiles are available in silver or black anodised aluminium, and two different types of caps for finishing and protecting the ends. The smaller NT-35 and NT-27 sizes are also available in PTFE-free versions.

Still working even after 25,000 cycles

With this PTFE-free telescopic slide, the igus material development department once again proves that it is possible to eliminate PFAS without sacrificing technical performance. Material experts proven the long life of the new material in tests in igus’ in-house test laboratory. Two telescopic slides of the drylin NT-60 series carried a centric load of 200 N in a vertical installation position. Even after 25,000 cycles of opening and closing, the system was still functional.

“It is very important to expand the drylin linear technology portfolio to include these PTFE-free variants that perform as well as the former bearing,” says Dumayne. “In addition to this product, the PTFE-free portfolio also includes drylin W all-plastic slides, low-profile and pre-tensioned prism drylin N slides, and drylin T monorail systems in which the PTFE-free sliding elements can also be retrofitted to existing carriages.”

For more information on this product, please contact:

Taylor Macdonald

Tel: 01604 677240

Email: tmacdonald@igus.net