Sliding Isolators
A PTFE (Teflon) disc sliding on stainless steel. Used alongside LRBs to tune the response of an isolation system and handle rotations.
A sliding isolator consists of a PTFE (Teflon) disc that slides on a stainless steel plate. The most common slider has the same construction as a base isolator with a Teflon disc substituted for the flange plate.
Sliders support vertical loads with low lateral resistance. They are typically used alongside isolators to tune an isolation system, placed under lighter parts of the structure such as stairs and lightly-loaded columns. An elastomeric backing handles rotations. The sliding contact also provides friction damping.
Sliding isolators are manufactured from 12 to 41 inches in diameter.
When to use sliders
Use sliders where vertical support is needed but lateral resistance is unwanted, under stairs, lightly-loaded columns, or rotating elements. Pair with LRBs to optimize the isolation system's overall response.
Friction behavior
Friction depends on bearing pressure and sliding velocity. Higher pressure typically lowers the friction coefficient. The Teflon-stainless steel interface is stable over the design life of the bearing.
Other products
Base Isolators
Laminated rubber and steel bearings with steel flange plates. Ninety percent of our isolators feature an energy-dissipating lead core for high damping.
Viscous Wall Dampers
A steel tank, an inner vane and a high-viscosity fluid reduce inter-story drift by more than 50%. Compact, maintenance-free, and architecturally flexible.
Non-Structural Isolation
Protects equipment and content when isolating the whole building isn't practical. 2D systems handle horizontal accelerations using spring units, sliders and rollers. 3D systems add vertical isolation, X, Y and Z, for high-spectrum equipment.
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