As a follow-up comment, I have had direct and succesful experience in using carbon fibre in place of bronze bushings in machines our company builds. These bushings in addition to being very hard did not require a lubrication line to ensure they do not overheat and pick-up. This was very important in our application. We have never had a reported failure in this application. Their only downside was they are far more expensive than bronze or other such materials. Perhaps mass production will improve that and carbon fibre will be a cost effective material for more applications. orgy