Fittings 4.0

I-Tech®, towards a 4.0 fittings

Technical Materials / Biosourced / Recycled Materials 

Friction rings & spinner PO iTech materials 

Longer wear life than metal and 80% lighter

What is this polymer made of ?

  • 3 components / Base polymer, fibers and a solid lubricant filling.

How does the lubricant effect work ?

  • The solid lubricants are integrated by the million in the polymer, which allows an immediate sufficient lubrication.
  • A major advantage is that the lubricants cannot slip out, being housed in their tiny compartments and helping to reduce the coefficient of friction on halyards and sheets.
  • This self-lubricating effect reduces the need for maintenance, dirt or dust cannot adhere.

Lifetime of the iTech PO

  • +/- 6,900 hours in continuous friction
  • +/- 200,000 halyard leads, tacks, sail trim, ....

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Material comparison - Friction and temperature of use

  • Po iTech / Dynamic use, very high friction speed Continuous use temperature T °C +140 /180
  • PEEK / Dynamic use, high friction speed Continuous operating temperature T °C +140/220
  • POM / Static, low friction speed Continuous operating temperature T °C 100°.
  • PA 66 Static use, low friction speed Continuous operating temperature T °C +120
Material Durability / Wear Friction T° of use T° Celsius Dynamic Static Material price
ITECH 5/5 5/5 4/5 + 140° / 180° 5/5 4/5 5/5
ALUMINIUM 4/5 4/5 5/5 + 180° / 240° 4/5 5/5 4/5
PEEK 4/5 3/5 4/5 + 140° / 180° 4/5 5/5 3/5
POM 3/5 4/5 2/5 100° 3/5 3/5 2/5
PA66 4/5 3/5 3/5 120° 3/5 3/5 2/5

Coefficient of friction "example"

  • Aluminium 0.30
  • PO iTech 0.18

Dynamic use: 20% lighter and 20% stronger! 

Coefficient of friction of PO Itech 0.18 compared to aluminum 1.35 with Max lubricant treatment 0.30...

Operating temperature "fiber integrity"

  • Temperature UHPME " Dyneema, Vectran " use Max 70°C
  • Temperature Polyester use 140°C
  • Temperature Technora use 240°C

Wear test: How does iTech compare to other polymers ?  

test dusure-2-0.jpg

Test parameters:

  • Rotation
  • Speed v = 0.3m/s
  • Load p = 1 N/mm².
  • Shaft material : 304L

The results show that the different base polymers have very different service lives. The iTech composite based on one of the base polymers also tested scores well in comparison.