PTFE-based and fabric-reinforced wear rings are precision guiding elements installed in the grooves of hydraulic cylinder pistons and rods to prevent metal-to-metal contact, absorb radial loads, and maintain alignment during reciprocating motion.
Lycotek pairs a PTFE and fabric-resin guide-ring line (WR/WP) with a heavy-duty fabric-reinforced composite line (WM) to cover rod and bore diameters from 8 mm up to 3,000 mm, dynamic pressures up to 100 MPa at +25 °C, temperatures from –70 °C to +200 °C, and linear speeds up to 15 m/s across mobile hydraulics, presses, construction machinery, mining, and marine equipment.
Lycotek supplies two guide-ring product lines. WR/WP covers piston-rod and piston guiding needs from light to medium-heavy loads, while WM is engineered for heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders. The features below are summarised directly from the source pages, with operating data kept verbatim.

· High load-bearing capacity —WR/WP guide rings provide guidance and support for pistons and piston rods, absorb radial loads, and prevent metal-to-metal contact between moving parts of the cylinder. The fabric-reinforced thermosetting resin grades offer a compressive strength at break of 300 N/mm²; under dynamic conditions the permissible load-carrying capacity reaches 90 N/mm² at 60 °C. The modified high-performance plastic grade achieves 290 N/mm² compressive strength at break with a permissible dynamic load-carrying capacity of 75 N/mm² at 60 °C.
· Good wear resistance and long service life — The composite materials used for WR/WP are selected for wear resistance, which directly extends maintenance intervals. The fabric-reinforced resin grade is specifically described as very wear-resistant, making it suitable for applications where long service life is critical.
· Vibration absorption — WR/WP rings absorb and dampen mechanical vibrations, reducing the transmission of shock loads to the sealing system and cylinder body and contributing to smoother overall machine operation.
· Low friction,stick-slip-free operation— The PTFE-based grades operate with low friction and without juddering or stick-slip. The fabric-reinforced resin grade further lowers the coefficient of friction and improves sliding properties. The PTFE-based series supports linear speeds < 15 m/s; the modified PTFE grade is also suitable for dry-running conditions and for running against water, aluminium alloy and stainless steel surfaces.
· Effective wiping action and particle adsorption— WR/WP rings provide a good wiping effect and can adsorb fine foreign particles, helping to keep contaminants away from the primary seal zone and protecting the hydraulic system.
Technical Data — Lycotek WR/WP Guide Rings
|
Material Grade |
Product Overview |
Parameter |
Notes |
|||||
|
Temp |
Speed |
Max. load-carrying capacity |
Compressive strength at break |
Permissible dynamic load-carrying capacity |
Water absorption |
|||
|
PTFE-based grades |
PTFE-based grades, including bronze-filled PTFE and modified PTFE, for low-to-medium load and high-speed applications. |
–70 °C to +200 °C |
< 15 m/s |
15 N/mm² at 60 °C |
— |
— |
— |
The permissible maximum load-carrying capacity decreases as temperature rises. For dynamic applications the permissible load is mainly determined by temperature; recommended operating temperature should not exceed 150 °C. |
|
Fabric-reinforced thermosetting resin |
Fabric-reinforced thermosetting resin composite for high-load, long-life applications. |
–60 °C to +120 °C |
< 1 m/s |
— |
300 N/mm² |
Max. 90 N/mm² at 60 °C |
— |
Frictional heat generated by pressure and friction can cause local overheating. It is recommended not to apply maximum pressure and maximum temperature simultaneously. For dynamic applications, recommended operating temperature should not exceed 110 °C. |
|
Modified high-performance plastic |
Modified high-performance plastic for medium-load applications requiring high strength and temperature resistance. |
–40 °C to +135 °C |
< 1 m/s |
— |
290 N/mm² |
Max. 75 N/mm² at 60 °C |
0.12% |
— |
Available Materials — Lycotek WR/WP Guide Rings
|
Material |
Description |
|
PTFE + bronze powder |
With a surface texture that promotes lubrication. |
|
Modified PTFE |
Suitable for dry-running conditions and for use with water, aluminium alloy, stainless steel and other metal surfaces. |
|
Fabric-reinforced thermosetting resin composite |
Good wear resistance. |
|
Fabric-reinforced thermosetting resin composite (high grade) |
Very wear-resistant. Offers a lower coefficient of friction, better sliding properties and stick-slip-free operation. |
|
Modified high-performance plastic |
High strength and high temperature resistance. |

· High compressive strength for heavy-duty applications — WM is manufactured from fabric-reinforced thermoset composite material. It is designed specifically for heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders such as those in mobile hydraulics and presses. The material delivers high compressive strength, good sliding properties and excellent wear resistance for long service life.
· Even distribution of high radial forces — WM is dimensionally stable, absorbs vibration and distributes high radial forces evenly over the guiding surface. This avoids local stress concentration and improves guidance accuracy and service life of both cylinder and piston.
· Good sliding and dry-running performance — WM offers good sliding and dry-running properties. The advanced grade incorporates uniformly dispersed solid lubricants that improve static and dynamic friction coefficients, reducing or eliminating stick-slip and permitting operation even under boundary lubrication.
· High wear resistance and long service life — High wear resistance combined with long service life makes WM suitable for equipment where replacement is costly, such as mining machinery, steel mills and marine applications.
· Wide media compatibility—WM is suitable for use with a broad range of hydraulic media. The standard grades are compatible with mineral oils, synthetic oils and water-based fluids; higher-stiffness grades are available for applications requiring greater rigidity (not recommended for water-based fluids).
· Stock availability and economical custom sizes—Common WM sizes are available from stock. For large diameters (> 300 mm), rings can be cut from roll material, so non-standard diameters can be supplied economically without tooling charges.
Operating Conditions — Lycotek WM Guide Rings
|
Parameter |
Value |
|
Temperature |
–40 °C to +120 °C |
|
Pressure |
Max. 100 N/mm² (MPa) at +25 °C |
|
Surface speed |
≤ 1.0 m/s |
|
Media |
Mineral oil, synthetic hydraulic fluids, water-based hydraulic fluids (depending on grade) |
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