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Engineering

We strive to be your plastic engineering partner from education to material selection, thru component design.

Custom Fabrication

TriStar excels in custom plastic fabrication from Prototype to Production.

Featured Products
CJ Bearings TriSteel™ Ultracomp® Rulon® Bearings Rulon® Materials Meldin®
Manufacturing

We manufacture a wide range of bearing materials that are ideal for non-lubricated high-load applications.

High Performance Plastics

We have quality High Performance Plastic materials available for the most demanding applications.

Saint-Gobain

TriStar is the exclusive partner for the Rulon, Meldin and Fluoroloy product lines in North America with the largest global inventory for immediate shipment.

Enhanced Materials

Cutting-edge enhancements that improve and extend the performance of polymers, elastomers, and specialized membranes.

Download ISO 9001 certificate
Material Database

With hundreds of high-performance bearing materials to choose from, utilize our material database to filter your search for the exact match for your application.

Technical Library

Our technical library is a knowledge database from application data sheets, brochures to engineering worksheets to research and start your next project.

Tech Talk Blog

A series of quick reads on the best materials for the most demanding applications in your industry.

White Papers

Explore our library of FREE white papers which dive into composite bearings, plastics, and industries where high-performance materials make a significant impact.

The Shooting Star

A monthly technical brief highlighting the latest in bearing material technology. Sign up for auto delivery.

Video Learning Center

We have produced over 100 educational videos ranging from bearing design, bonding plastics surface modification and many more topics.

The TriStar Advantage

Engineering - Fabrication - Manufacturing

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About Us

TriStar Plastics, LLC provides engineering, custom fabrication and manufacturing of high-performance plastics and self-lubricating bearings materials. The Company’s capabilities include component design, material selection, prototype, production, manufacturing, and surface modification.

Locations

The Company’s principal location is in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, with additional sales and distribution centers in Denver, North Carolina, Yorba Linda, California and Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Click here for details and directions.

Employment

We are dedicated to building a company where opportunities exist for hard working people to achieve their maximum potential. Apply today.

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To save time and postage, please sign up for customer paperless invoicing, payments, and vendor payments.
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Contact Us

Reach out to us for a material quote, to compliment a staff member, or with a question you may have.

Ask the Expert

Have a material or an application question for our engineering team or want to upload a drawing? Your Project stats here…

To request compliance documentation click here.

  • REACH Statements
  • PFAS Declarations
  • California Prop 65
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Your Engineering Partner for High-Performance Plastics, From Prototype to Production

TriStar Plastics, LLC provides engineering, custom fabrication, and manufacturing of high-performance plastics and self-lubricating composite bearing materials.

Products & Services from TriStar Plastics

Below you'll find the core self-lubricating bearing products and custom manufacturing services offered by TriStar Plastics. Click on any of the icons below to learn more. At TriStar, the advantage is engineered.

Industry Application Showcase

Our extensive self-lubricating bearing product line and deep understanding of diverse industries combine to deliver solutions for your most challenging load, wear, and motion applications.

Railroad

Railroad

Ultracomp® FR Delivers Exceptional Fire Resistance Aboard Rapid Transit

Military

Military

Rulon LR Delivers for Surface-to-Air Missiles

Marine

Marine

Composite Bearings for Onboard Seafood Processing and Packaging

Medical

Medical

Plasma Treatment Prepares Catheters for Specialty Coatings

Agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture Bearings: Polymers Outperform Metals

Food

Food & Beverage

Rulon® 1439 Bearings Increase Potato Chip Production Rates

Construction

Construction

Low-friction Composite Bearings “Cement” with Paving Machines

Energy (Oil & Gas)

Energy (Oil & Gas)

CJ Composite Bearings Beat Bronze in Offshore Drilling

Aerospace

Aerospace

Rulon J vs. Teflon - An Aerospace Application

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Composite Bearings Replace Bronze to Improve Manufacturing Profits

Robotics

Robotics

Composite Bearings Enable Robotics Innovation

Pulp & Paper

Pulp & Paper

Paper Industry Places Wet and Dry Demands on Plastic Bearings

Semiconductors

Semiconductors

Meldin® 7001 Polyimide for Semiconductor Manufacturing

Key Resources to Explore

Plastic Vs Metal Bearings

Plastic bearings reduce maintenance, resist corrosion, and run without lubrication.

Feature / Metric Plastic Bearings Metal Bearings
Lubrication check Self-lubricating (often no grease/oil) x Requires grease or oil
Maintenance & downtime check Less maintenance, fewer shutdowns x Re-lube schedules add labor & downtime
Corrosion resistance check Won’t rust; performs in wet environments x Corrosion risk in moisture/washdown
Dirty / dusty environments check No grease to attract grit; cleaner operation x Grease can trap debris and accelerate wear
Chemical resistance check Broad resistance (material-dependent) x Often limited / coating-dependent
Noise & vibration check Quieter; helps damp vibration x Can transmit noise/vibration
Weight check Lightweight for easier handling x Heavier components

Don't Just Take Our Word For It...

Here are some recent testimonials from our customers.

"We’ve worked with several material suppliers over the years, but TriStar stands out for quality and consistency. Every order arrives right on schedule and always meets spec. Their commitment to ISO-certified processes gives us confidence on every project."
"From the initial quote to delivery, TriStar’s customer service was exceptional. They guided us through material options and machining considerations, helped speed up our design cycle, and saved us money without sacrificing quality."
"TriStar’s custom fabrication capabilities allowed us to solve a unique engineering challenge that other vendors said was ‘too complex.’ Their engineers were patient, knowledgeable, and proactive. We couldn’t be happier with the finished parts."
"We replaced a lubricated bronze bearing with TriStar’s self-lubricating CJ composite bearings on one of our high-duty assembly lines, and the impact was immediate. Grease points were eliminated, maintenance hours dropped, and uptime improved almost overnight."
"As a medical device manufacturer, surface bonding performance is critical. TriStar’s plasma treatment services allowed us to modify surface energy and dramatically improve adhesion without changing our base material. The result was stronger, more consistent bonds and a more robust manufacturing process."

Featured Blog Posts

What Sets Us Apart

44 Years in Business

Over four decades of engineering polymer and composite bearing solutions, with proven designs refined through real-world industrial applications.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Certification ensures controlled manufacturing processes, documented quality systems, and repeatable performance from engineering design through delivery.

Bearing Manufacturer

An engineering-driven bearing manufacturer designing and producing self-lubricating plastic and composite bearings for load, wear, and motion control.

Collaborative Engineering

Our engineers collaborate on material selection, tolerances, and application optimization to improve bearing performance and extend service life.