CAC304 Self-Lubricating Wear Plates (Graphite Plugged)

Our CAC304 Self-Lubricating Wear Plates are engineered for heavy-duty industrial environments where conventional oil lubrication is difficult, costly, or environmentally restricted. By embedding high-purity solid lubricant (Graphite / Grafitli) into a high-strength CAC304 bronze base, we provide a wear-resistant solution that excels under extreme pressure and low-speed oscillation.

I. Key Performance Features

• Maintenance-Free Operation: Eliminates the need for frequent manual greasing, significantly reducing operational downtime and labor costs.

• Superior Load Capacity: The high-tensile brass base offers significantly higher mechanical strength and hardness than standard bronze alloys.

• Excellent Wear Resistance: Graphite plugs create a continuous lubricating film during movement, preventing metal-to-metal contact and seizing.

• Thin Profile Availability: We specialize in thin wear plates (3mm, 5mm, 8mm, and 10mm), ideal for space-constrained industrial designs and compact guide systems.

• Thermal Stability: Reliable performance across a wide temperature range, typically from -40°C up to +300°C depending on the lubricant grade.

II.Technical Specifications

IV..Material Selection Analysis: #500SP Standard

1. Base Alloy: CAC304 (High Tensile Brass)
The foundation is a specialized copper-zinc alloy enhanced with Aluminum, Manganese, and Iron.

• High Mechanical Strength: Capable of withstanding immense unit pressure far exceeding ordinary brass.

• Anti-Deformation: The high hardness (HB 210+) ensures excellent resistance against extrusion and deformation under heavy loads.

• Corrosion Resistance: Maintains durability in atmospheric, freshwater, and seawater environments.

2. Lubricating Element: High-Purity Graphite / Grafitli
Solid lubricant cylinders are embedded into the base in a specific geometric pattern.

• Self-Lubricating Principle: During friction, the graphite is released and transferred to the mating surface, forming a stable, solid lubricating film. This prevents “stick-slip” and galling even under high-pressure, low-speed movements.

V.Detailed Application Areas

Due to their thin profile (3mm–10mm) and self-lubricating properties, these plates are primarily used as liners, slide ways, or guide rails in the following sectors:

1. Industrial Tooling & Manufacturing

• Stamping Dies: Specifically for cam units (oblique sliding blocks) that handle massive lateral forces during the metal forming process.

• Guide Rails & Slides: Used in the vertical and horizontal guiding sections of die sets to prevent scoring between steel components.

• Automated Welding Lines: Sliding gaskets for flipping machines and robotic grippers that operate in environments with high dust and spatter.

2. Plastic Processing & Injection Molding

• Clamping Units: Sliding shoes for moving platens in injection molding machines. These require oil-free operation to prevent product contamination and handle high mold-clamping temperatures.

• Ejector Plates: Guiding components for large-scale ejector systems within the mold base.

3. Heavy Engineering & Construction Equipment

• Mobile Cranes: Wear pads for telescopic booms that must operate smoothly under high pressure without regular grease access.

• Earthmoving Machinery: Thrust washers and joint bushings for the working arms of excavators and bulldozers.

• Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM): Sliding face for support mechanisms and propulsion systems.

4. Water Control & Port Facilities

• Sluice Gates: Sliding supports and wear plates for water control gates. The self-lubricating feature prevents water pollution from grease while resisting corrosion.

• Port Handling Equipment: Pivot liners and rotary support pads for stackers, reclaimers, and ship unloaders.

5. General Industrial Machinery

• Heat Treatment Furnaces: Guide rails for conveyor chains operating in high-temperature zones.

• Paper & Pulp Mills: Sliding parts for drying cylinders and equipment operating in high-humidity environments.

VI. Engineering Recommendations

• Mating Surface: For maximum service life, the mating shaft or rail should have a hardness of HRC 45 or higher and a surface roughness of Ra 0.4–0.8.

• Initial Run-in: Although self-lubricating, applying a thin layer of lithium-based grease during initial installation can shorten the “run-in” period and optimize the formation of the graphite transfer film.

• Customization: We offer precision CNC machining to your drawings, ensuring tight tolerances on thickness and flatness for thin plates.

VII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can CAC304 plates be used in submerged or wet environments?
A: Yes. CAC304 has excellent corrosion resistance in freshwater and seawater. It is widely used in sluice gates and offshore port machinery where standard grease would wash away or pollute the environment.

Q2: What is the benefit of “Thin” wear plates (3mm-5mm)?
A: Thin plates allow for more compact machinery and mold designs. We utilize precision grinding to ensure these thin plates maintain perfect flatness and parallelism, preventing “binding” during movement.

Q3: Does the mating surface require a specific hardness?
A: Yes. For optimal wear life, we recommend the mating surface (shaft or guide rail) have a hardness of HRC 45 or higher and a surface roughness of Ra 0.4–0.8.

Q4: Is any initial lubrication required?
A: While the plates are designed for dry use, applying a small amount of lithium grease during initial assembly helps protect the surfaces during the “run-in” period and facilitates the formation of the graphite transfer film.

Q5: Can you provide custom mounting holes or oil grooves?
A: Absolutely. We provide full CNC machining services based on your STEP or DWG drawings, including specialized mounting holes, countersinks, and custom dimensions.

VIII. Ready to Optimize Your Equipment?

Whether you need standard sizes or custom CNC-machined plates, our engineering team is ready to assist.