--- title: "Optimizing Slide Bearing Design: The Benefits of Non-Continuous Lengths" description: Learn how sectional slide bearing assemblies can be as effective as continuous lengths. Discover design tips, cost benefits, and applications for Teflon® and Fluorogold® bearings. image: https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hubfs/Slide%20Bearings%20Butt%20Ended%20350%20x%20156.jpg --- [![Providing Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabricators](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/file-14727826-jpg/images/bannerfixed-webrdy.jpg?width=750&name=bannerfixed-webrdy.jpg "Providing Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabricators")](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) - [![the steel supply company](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-1.jpg?width=88&name=logo-1.jpg "the steel supply company")](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) - [![The Steel Supply Co, Inc](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hubfs/top-text-new.png)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) - [![Specialized Supplies for Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Fabricators](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hubfs/bottom-text-new.png)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/) ![BLOG TheSteelSupplyCo banner950x250](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/file-730735349-jpg/images/blog_thesteelsupplyco_banner950x250.jpg?width=760&name=blog_thesteelsupplyco_banner950x250.jpg) ## Steel Manufacturing Blog: Keeping it Steel # Optimizing Slide Bearing Design: The Benefits of Non-Continuous Lengths Posted on Mon, Jun 24, 2024 @ 04:25 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The Steel Supply Company frequently sees requirements for [Teflon® or Fluorogold® Slide Bearings](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/fluorogold-slide-bearings-/-teflon-slide-bearings) where the assembly is longer than 48” and the designer calls for a single continuous upper and lower member. This can be done but is almost always unnecessary. ![Slide Bearings Butt Ended 350 x 156](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Slide%20Bearings%20Butt%20Ended%20350%20x%20156.jpg?width=301&height=134&name=Slide%20Bearings%20Butt%20Ended%20350%20x%20156.jpg) Fig. 1 Fluorogold® Slide Bearings arranged side to side to increase bearing surface. Shown are FC-1010-CS.     Slide Bearing assemblies can be pieced together in sections without compromising the performance or durability at all. Fig. 1 shows stock bearing plates pieced together side by side with the typical gap of 1/64” (0.397 mm). This gap does not compromise the bearing assembly or performance. Movement can be in either direction, horizontal or vertical. Note: The gap can be eliminated by machining the edges, however this will add cost with the main benefit being aesthetics. The only reason to require a single piece is in cases where rust will become a factor due to moisture and salt air being present. A typical [Slide Bearing installation](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/slide-bearing-installation) requires only tack welds to hold the bearing in place. Fig. 2.![Slide-Bearing-Tack-Weld-260-x-280](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Slide-Bearing-Tack-Weld-260-x-280.jpg?width=260&height=280&name=Slide-Bearing-Tack-Weld-260-x-280.jpg) Fig. 2     FC-1010-CS Fluorogold Slide Bearing showing typical tack weld pattern.     For applications not exposed to extreme elements this is more than sufficient. It will hold the bearing solidly in place and corrosion is not a factor. Bearing sections can be placed side by side and run to any length required. For more extreme environments, such as offshore drilling platforms, docks, marine applications, etc., the designer may want to protect against premature corrosion. In situations like this the bearing is seal welded around the entire perimeter to block any moisture from gathering under steel plate. To accommodate this case a single piece bearing is required. In manufacturing this longer assembly a staggered heat treatment and bonding process is employed and the bearing can be made to almost any length. Note this process is time consuming and labor intensive. The Steel Supply Company can assist with the design of Teflon® or Fluorogold® Slide Bearings as well as [Thermal Break Bearings](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/structural-bearing-pads), [Vibration Isolation Bearings](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/sylodyn-high-resilient-bearings) and any other bearing your project may require. ### Subscribe by Email ### Follow Me ### Most Popular Posts ### Browse by Tag - [Aluminum Plug (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/aluminum-plug) - [Anchor Bolts (16)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/anchor-bolts) - [Askew Head Bolts (6)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/askew-head-bolts) - [Bearings (11)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/bearings) - [Bent Anchor Bolts (4)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/bent-anchor-bolts) - [Channel Slot (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/channel-slot) - [Clevis (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/clevis) - [Clevis Rods (4)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/clevis-rods) - [Construction Shims (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/construction-shims) - [Cut Thread (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/cut-thread) - [EZ Sleeve (5)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/ez-sleeve) - [F1554 (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/f1554) - [Fluorogold Slide Bearing (4)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/fluorogold-slide-bearing) - [Fluoroloc Slide Bearing (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/fluoroloc-slide-bearing) - [Galvanized Anchor Bolts (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/galvanized-anchor-bolts) - [Galvanized Vent Hole Plug (5)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/galvanized-vent-hole-plug) - [Galvanized Vent Plug (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/galvanized-vent-plug) - [Galvanized Weep Hole Plug (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/galvanized-weep-hole-plug) - [Hanger Rods (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/hanger-rods) - [hex nuts (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/hex-nuts) - [Hillside Washers (4)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/hillside-washers) - [Hot Dip Galvanizing (6)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/hot-dip-galvanizing) - [I-Beam (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/i-beam) - [Industrial Maintenance (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/industrial-maintenance) - [Lintel (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/lintel) - [Malleable Iron Insert (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/malleable-iron-insert) - [Markers (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/markers) - [Maskote Zinc Stop-Off (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/maskote-zinc-stop-off) - [Masonry Anchors (8)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/masonry-anchors) - [Plastic Shims (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/plastic-shims) - [Rebar Anchor (6)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/rebar-anchor) - [rebar anchors (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/rebar-anchors) - [Rebar Coupler (6)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/rebar-coupler) - [Relieving Angle (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/relieving-angle) - [Relieving Angle Insert (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/relieving-angle-insert) - [S-1 supplement (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/s-1-supplement) - [Sag Rods (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/sag-rods) - [Shelf Angle (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/shelf-angle) - [Shelf Angle Insert (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/shelf-angle-insert) - [Shims (13)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/shims) - [Slide Bearing (7)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/slide-bearing) - [Slide Bearings (15)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/slide-bearings) - [Slotted Channel (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/slotted-channel) - [Slotted Shims (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/slotted-shims) - [Slotted Steel Shims (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/slotted-steel-shims) - [Steel Coatings (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-coatings) - [Steel Primer (2)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-primer) - [Steel Shims (12)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-shims) - [STEEL SUPPLY (5)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-supply) - [Steel Wedge (7)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-wedge) - [Steel Wedges (10)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-wedges) - [Steel Wedges Made To Order (7)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/steel-wedges-made-to-order) - [Teflon Slide Bearing (10)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/teflon-slide-bearing) - [Teflon Thermal Breaks (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/teflon-thermal-breaks) - [Thermal Break (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/thermal-break) - [Threaded Rod (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/threaded-rod) - [Threaded Steel (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/threaded-steel) - [Turnbuckle Rods (7)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/turnbuckle-rods) - [Turnbuckles (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/turnbuckles) - [Vent Hole Plug (3)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/vent-hole-plug) - [Vent Hole Plugs (1)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/vent-hole-plugs) - [Wedge Insert (4)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/wedge-insert) - [Wedge Inserts (8)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/wedge-inserts) - [Wedges (10)](https://www.thesteelsupplyco.com/blog/topic/wedges) © 2015 The Steel Supply Company, Inc. * Office: 35 Pine Drive, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 * Warehouse and Factory: 109 Kean Street, West Babylon, NY 11704 * Phone 631-385-7273 * Fax 631-385-7274 info@thesteelsupplyco.com