Bearings for dryer seals, fire retardant high temperature dryer seals and related methods

A fire retardant dryer seal comprising:

• an elongate, flexible first base substrate having a first end and a second end, the first base substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
• a bearing having a first end and a second end, the bearing comprising a needlepunched nonwoven comprising a reinforced scrim and silicon (Si)-containing fibers;
• and
• the first end of the first substrate secured to the first end of the bearing and the second end of the first substrate secured to the second end of the bearing so that the bearing and the first substrate form an annular shape.

A method of making a fire retardant dryer seal, the method comprising:

• providing an elongate, flexible first base substrate having a first end and a second end, the first base substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
• providing a bearing having a first end and a second end, the bearing comprising a needlepunched nonwoven comprising a reinforced scrim and silicon (Si)-containing fibers;
• securing the first end of the first substrate to the first end of the bearing;
• and
• securing the second end of the first substrate secured to the second end of the bearing so that the bearing and the first substrate form an annular shape.