V.A. Belyi Metal Polymer Research Institute offers consumers Asbestos-free friction composite materials under a manufacturing agreement and is looking for partners to conclude a distribution services agreement.

The V.A. Belyi Metal Polymer Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus developed these materials based on polytetrafluoroethylene, polymer resins, and asbestos-free powder metallurgy for industrial friction assemblies.

Main applications of the materials:

Brake pads for tension loads in process equipment used in the production of steel cord, wire, cables, and textiles.
Braking systems for 14 hp minitractors.
Friction bushings for Gomselmash forage harvester headers.
Oil-cooled brake discs for wheeled tractors with 220–350 hp.
Brake discs for tractors with 80–150 hp.

The materials are made from thermosetting resin powders, synthetic rubbers, organic and mineral fibers, fillers, and modifiers. They are processed into products using direct compression molding on standard equipment and are easily dosed. The bushings are made from powdered thermosetting resins, synthetic rubbers, organic and mineral fibers, fillers, and modifiers. They reduce vibration and noise in friction units. The cost is 1.5–2 times lower than foreign equivalents.

The information is published in the "Catalog of the Latest Practice-Oriented Developments of Organizations of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Republic of Belarus" (2025), p. 180.(in Russian)

There are no comparable products on the belarussian market. These materials are comparable to foreign counterparts in terms of heat and wear resistance.

Main alternatives:
Traditional asbestos materials: Displaced due to health risks; inferior in terms of environmental friendliness and stability.

Retinax and Tribonit (Kursk Press Equipment Plant (KZPO) JSC) Composite brakes for agricultural machinery; low quality, transition to asbestos-free materials in accordance with EU R-90 standards.

Klingersil C4400 / Novapress Basic: Seals based on NBR rubber and aramid fibers; similar in characteristics, but for sealing rather than friction.

Other asbestos-free copper/iron powders from various manufacturers.

Advantages of the V.A. Belyi Metal Polymer Research Institute materials.

Increased friction coefficient stability ensures product quality (cord threads), resistance to Resistant to aggressive environments, vibrations, and temperatures up to 350–370°C without lubrication.

Eco-friendly (asbestos-free), reduce production costs, and facilitate mass production. Superior heat resistance, wear, and safety to asbestos-based bearings.

Wide range: dry/oil friction, low wear rate.

Reduces vibration and noise in friction units. Costs 1.2–2.0 times lower than foreign equivalents.

Currently, the V.A. Belyi Metal Polymer Research Institute is an academic scientific and technical complex focused on fundamental and applied research in two main areas:

1) Physicochemical foundations for the development of composite materials based on organic and inorganic polymers;
2) Surface physics, chemistry, and mechanics, analysis of contact interactions, friction, wear, and lubrication in technical and biological systems.

Within these areas, the Institute is a leading research and production complex in the following areas:

- Interfacial phenomena in polymer-polymer and metal-polymer systems;
- Weather resistance and durability prediction of polymer composites;
- Adaptive materials and structures;
- Physics and chemistry of lubrication;
- Sealing and filtration methods;
- Composite product design methods;
- Recycling of multicomponent polymer systems;
- Physics and technology of thin films;
- methods of surface analysis, description and classification of surface topography at the micro- and nanoscale, and solutions to contact and thermal problems in tribology;
- space tribology;
- friction and lubrication of natural and artificial joints;
- diagnostics and monitoring of machine friction units.

The most significant practical results have been achieved in the field of polymer materials science. Research by the Institute's scientists has significantly expanded the range of domestic polymer composites and products. Several dozen import-substituting and export-oriented polymer composite materials have been developed for mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and agriculture.

In recent years, more than 40 brands of import-substituting and export-oriented polymer composite materials have been developed in the field of polymer materials science for mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, construction, and agriculture. Serial production of a number of materials has been launched at the Belneftekhim concern. The Institute exports many of its developments, primarily to Russia.

In the field of tribology, concepts of rough layer structure, friction surface morphology, and wear particle morphology have been developed. A number of computational methods and models for discrete frictional contact, friction thermal dynamics, and computer modeling of solid-state contact interactions have been developed. Based on fundamental research in this field, a number of new methods for analyzing material surface layers, including at the micro- and nanoscale, have been developed.

Every year, work is carried out under contracts with CIS and non-CIS countries (Russia, Ukraine, USA, France, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Poland, and others) for the development and supply of scientific equipment, new materials, and technologies.

Institute Website.

Consumers interested in purchasing asbestos-free friction composite materials under a manufacturing agreement.

Partners interested in purchasing asbestos-free friction composite materials under a distribution services agreement.