Rolling mills—whether hot or cold—operate in some of the harshest industrial environments, subjecting equipment to extreme temperatures, heavy loads, continuous friction, and contamination from scale and lubricants. The right materials for components like molded bearings, wiper blades, doctor blades, and cast nylon bearings are essential to ensure reliability, minimize downtime, and maximize efficiency.

At Franklin Fibre, we manufacture high-performance thermoset composite and engineered polymer components that outperform traditional materials in durability, wear resistance, and operational longevity.

Molded Bearings: Engineered for Strength & Longevity

Traditional metal bearings (such as bronze or babbitt) suffer from excessive wear and require frequent lubrication, leading to increased downtime and maintenance costs. Franklin Fibre’s molded composite bearings provide an advanced alternative:

High Load-Bearing Strength: Our composite bearings withstand extreme pressure while maintaining dimensional stability, ensuring a longer service life than metal bearings.

Self-Lubricating Properties: Our materials incorporate low-friction additives, reducing or even eliminating the need for external lubrication, preventing metal-on-metal wear.

Superior Thermal Stability: Unlike metal bearings, our thermoset composites can withstand high operating temperatures in hot rolling mills without expansion or loss of integrity.

Corrosion & Chemical Resistance: Unlike traditional bearings, our composite materials do not corrode when exposed to lubricants, coolants, or scale contamination.

Applications:

Work roll & backup roll bearings
Mill guide bearings
Strip tension levelers‍

Wiper Blades & Doctor Blades: Precision Cleaning & Scale Removal

Wiper blades and doctor blades play a critical role in rolling mills, removing excess oil, coolant, and contaminants from work rolls and strip surfaces. Traditional rubber or metal blades wear quickly and cause surface defects, but Franklin Fibre’s high-performance composite blades deliver superior results:

Wear-Resistant Thermoset Composites: Our blades outlast rubber and metal alternatives, ensuring longer intervals between replacements.

Precision Surface Cleaning: Engineered edge profiles provide consistent contact pressure, preventing surface defects and ensuring uniform cleaning.

Temperature & Chemical Resistance: Our materials resist high temperatures and harsh chemical environments without degrading or softening.

Applications:

Work roll cleaning in hot & cold mills
Coolant removal in steel and aluminum processing
Ink and coating removal in specialty rolling applications

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Cast Nylon Bearings: A Lightweight, High-Strength Solution

Cast nylon is an advanced alternative to metal and polymer bearings in rolling mills, offering a combination of strength, durability, and reduced weight. Franklin Fibre’s precision-machined cast nylon bearings provide significant advantages over traditional bearing materials:

High Impact Resistance: Unlike brittle metal or standard polymer bearings, cast nylon absorbs impact and reduces vibration, extending equipment life.

Reduced Friction & Heat Buildup: With naturally low friction coefficients, cast nylon reduces energy consumption and prevents overheating.

Lighter Weight = Less Wear & Tear: Cast nylon bearings reduce overall component weight, decreasing stress on machinery and extending operational life.

Non-Corrosive & Chemical-Resistant: Our cast nylon bearings withstand moisture, coolants, and rolling fluids, making them ideal for harsh mill environments.

Applications:

Pinch roll and guide bearings
Strip tension control systems
Roll adjustment mechanisms

Why Franklin Fibre?

Industry-Proven Materials – Our thermoset composites and engineered polymers have been field-tested and proven in the most demanding rolling mill environments.

Custom Engineering – We tailor materials and designs to meet your specific application needs, ensuring maximum performance and longevity.

Reduced Downtime & Maintenance Costs – Our components offer longer life cycles, reducing costly mill shutdowns and part replacements.

Reliable Supply & Fast Turnaround – We understand the critical nature of mill operations and offer quick lead times and custom machining for replacement parts.

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