A bearing plate is also referred to as a slide plate. It is a component that can be fabricated from a variety of materials including graphite, PTFE, 25% glass filled, stainless steel, and bronzphite. The purpose of slide plates is to produce a low-coefficient of friction between a stationary support element and the moving pipe support component to reduce the forces generated as a result of pipe deflections during operation.
PTFE, 25% Glass Filled Slide Plates