DIAGLIDE

Thrust Shims

With Friction Reduction for Sliding Surfaces for Optimal Synchronization
  • Expert consultation
  • Fast production
  • High-performance quality
  • Fair pricing
  • Long-lasting functional durability
Thrust Shims

Friction-Reducing Washers

DIAGLIDE THRUST SHIMS & WASHERS offer an extremely wide range of thrust washers, shim washers, and spacer washers.

DIAGLIDE THRUST SHIMS are used as bearing surfaces for all types of rotating applications, where a cost-effective component takes on the function of a plain bearing surface in lubricated and unlubricated applications. Axial movements along a shaft can thus be set to exact tolerances.

DIAGLIDE THRUST WASHERS are spacer washers and shim washers used to precisely adjust axial spacing and length tolerances in axle and drive shafts, as well as any tightly toleranced length dimension.

The Key Advantages of Using THRUST SHIMS & WASHERS with DIAGLIDE Coating:
  • The all-rounder for tribological systems
  • Reduces friction and wear
  • High lubricant film affinity
  • Optimal sliding behavior
  • Wear-resistant friction pairing
  • Long-lasting corrosion protection
  • Adjustable hardness (400–1,100 HV)
  • Increase in safety factor
  • Cost reduction
  • Easy handling
  • Adjustable friction values
  • Exact dimensional tolerances
  • Available as individual parts and in series
  • Short delivery times
  • Highly flexible manufacturing
Friction Reduction

Flexible Manufacturing

The shim and spacer washers can be precisely ground to within a few μ (< 5 μ). Typical applications include axle assemblies, transmission (shafts), pump impellers and shafts, and motors. Different thicknesses can be produced from the same types and then used in sets to define clearance and length compensation functions.

Frequent use is also found in the synchronization of two assemblies or machine bodies. The substrates are available in various steel and light metal materials, or, for example, in copper and nickel. Special materials are available on request. Antimagnetic, conductive, or insulating functions can also be produced.

Thanks to flexible manufacturing, individual and series parts can be produced with short delivery times.

More about DIAGLIDE

Schematic representation of the friction-increasing system consisting of the dispersion layer and the counterpart of the friction pairing

Application Areas

Thrust Shims in Use

Textile Machinery and Spinning

DIAGLIDE coatings for wear parts

Automotive Industry and Engine Technology

DIAGLIDE THRUST WASHER AND SHIMS for sliding, friction-reducing applications in transmission and axle systems

Tool and Mold Making

DIAGLIDE coatings for tools and casting molds

Motorsport and Racing

DIAGLIDE coatings for components of injection systems

Conveyor Technology and Pumps

DIAGLIDE THRUST SHIMS as thrust washers

Aerospace

DIAGLIDE coatings for aluminum, magnesium, and titanium components

Application

How DIAGRIP Thrust Shims Are Used

In numerous applications, it is necessary to move metallic components against one another without them being subject to noticeable wear during use. Depending on the field of application, such component or material contact can occur with or without additional lubricant.

Typical examples of components include rotors and plungers for oil extraction, drive components for internal combustion engines, transmissions or compressors, hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic components, pumps, pressure cylinders, or components in textile machinery. In most cases, the requirements go beyond high wear resistance combined with low friction, as high corrosion resistance of the surface is also particularly needed. In addition, applied DIAGLIDE® coating systems must exhibit exceptionally good adhesion to the base material and, in the case of cost-intensive components, allow for the repair of damaged or worn surfaces.

Among the widely used wear-resistant coatings are, above all, those based on chromium and nickel or nickel alloys, which are used for DIAGLIDE® coatings. Both materials have a high to very high base hardness. Hard materials withstand mechanical stresses under applied pressure and/or friction. This prevents chipping and breakage of coating fragments.

If, on the other hand, such chipping and breakage occur and get caught between moving components, they act as abrasive particles and intensify surface damage through wear.

Another way to reduce wear is the incorporation of friction-reducing solid lubricants – so-called dispersion layers. Proven solid lubricants include, for example, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene – Teflon), hexagonal boron nitride, as well as graphite and MoS2. As a matrix material for embedding solid lubricants, electrolytically and chemically deposited nickel as well as nickel-phosphorus alloys offer ideal conditions for producing surfaces with different properties tailored to the respective application. The hardness of the layers can be adjusted within a range of approximately 450 HV to approximately 1,100 HV. The corrosion resistance of the layers varies depending on the phosphorus content selected.

Characteristics

For Wear / Corrosion Protection with DIAGLIDE Coatings

Metallic workpieces gain improved properties with regard to wear and corrosion through the application of DIAGLIDE® coatings. Depending on the application, different variants from the group of composite and dispersion layers are available.

Variants Through Chemical Deposition
  • Nickel + nickel-phosphorus dispersion
  • Nickel-phosphorus + nickel-phosphorus dispersion
  • Nickel + chromium
  • Nickel-phosphorus + chromium
Variants Through Electrolytic Deposition
  • Nickel + nickel dispersion
  • Nickel + chromium (chromium electrolytic)
  • Nickel + nickel-phosphorus dispersion
  • Nickel-phosphorus + nickel-phosphorus dispersion

The nickel-phosphorus alloy variant can be deposited both chemically/electrolessly ( > high contour accuracy, > low deposition rate) and electrolytically ( > low contour accuracy, > high deposition rate).

Due to its low deposition rate, chemically deposited nickel is preferably used for layer thicknesses below 30 μm (0.03 mm). Electrolytically deposited nickel is suitable for layers up to several millimeters thick. The following variants are available for nickel-based dispersion layers:

Characteristic
Deposition Rate
Material
Layer Thickness
Dispersion Substance
Particle Sizes
Contour Accuracy
Chemical
Chemically deposited
0.17 μm/min–0.35 μm/min
Nickel-phosphorus alloy with 2% to 12% phosphorus
up to 30 μm (up to 100 μm in exceptional cases)
Diamond, silicon carbide (SiC), hex. boron nitride (hBN), boron carbide (B4C), PTFE; nanoparticles (
1-3 nano / μm (up to 50 μm for special applications)
high
Electrolytic
Electrolytically deposited
3 μm/min–10 μm/min
Nickel + nickel-phosphorus with 2% to 12% phosphorus
50 μm–200 μm (up to 1000 μm on request)
Diamond, silicon carbide (SiC), hex. boron nitride (hBN), boron carbide (B4C)
1-3 nano / μm
medium-high
Download data sheet
Frequently Asked Questions

Thrust Shims FAQ

What are thrust shims, and what are the functions of running-in shims, fitting shims, and compensating shims?

Thrust shims are coated discs used as sliding bearing surfaces in rotating applications. As running-in shims, they enable low-wear movement in both lubricated and unlubricated applications. At the same time, they allow for precise adjustment of axial movement along the shaft.

As fitting or compensating washers, they are used to precisely adjust center distances and length tolerances in shafts and drive shafts, as well as any other tightly toleranced length dimension. We carry both designs under the DIAGLIDE Thrust Shims & Washers line.

How does the reduction in coefficient of friction work technically?

The DIAGLIDE coatings are based on chromium and nickel or nickel alloys with high to very high base hardness. As a result, the coatings resist pressure and friction and reduce the risk of coating fragments breaking off and causing additional wear between moving components.

In addition, we can incorporate friction-reducing solid lubricants. These so-called dispersion layers are based on electroplated or chemically deposited nickel as well as nickel-phosphorus alloys. Their hardness can be adjusted between approximately 450 HV and 1,100 HV.

How precisely can clearance and linear dimensions be adjusted using shims?

We grind shims and compensating shims to an accuracy of a few μm. Tolerances below 5 μm are standard. We manufacture various thicknesses of the same type, which can be combined in sets. This allows you to precisely adjust clearance and linear dimensions. Often, the shims also serve to synchronize two assemblies or machine bodies.

Do thrust washers work even without lubrication?

Yes. In lubricated applications, the high lubricant film affinity of the DIAGLIDE coating supports the sliding motion. Without lubrication, embedded solid lubricants perform this function.
For this purpose, we use, among other materials, PTFE, hexagonal boron nitride, graphite, and MoS₂, embedded in a matrix of chemically or electroplated nickel or nickel-phosphorus.

What materials and special designs are available?

We supply substrates in various steel and light metal materials, as well as in copper and nickel, for example. Special materials are available upon request.

We also manufacture antimagnetic, conductive, or insulating versions. The corrosion resistance of the coating depends on the selected phosphorus content.

For which industries and applications are thrust shims suitable?

Typical applications include axle assemblies, gearboxes and drive shafts, pump impellers, pump shafts, and motors. In automotive and engine engineering, DIAGLIDE thrust washers and shims are used, for example, in transmission and axle systems; in conveyor and pump technology, they are used as thrust washers.

In addition, DIAGLIDE coatings are used in textile machinery and spinning mills, in tool and mold making, in motorsports and racing, as well as in the aerospace industry.

Can CCT also manufacture custom thicknesses and designs?

Yes. Thanks to our flexible manufacturing process, we produce custom designs—from single parts to production runs—while ensuring short lead times.

How do I submit a request for my component?

The best way is to send us a drawing of your disc along with details on the material, load, and installation conditions. Using our contact form or by phone, we’ll work with you to determine which design and coating are best suited for your application.

The DIAGLIDE data sheet is available for download on this page.

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Do you have questions about our product systems or fields of application? We would be happy to advise you comprehensively via our contact form.

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