Sliding component, assembly, and method of forming and using the same

An assembly, comprising:

• an outer component including a bore within the outer component;
• an inner component disposed within the bore;
• and
• a sliding component mounted between the inner component and the outer component, the sliding component comprising:
• a sidewall comprising a substrate having at least one low stiffness projection capable of elastic deformation, and at least one high stiffness projection capable of plastic deformation, wherein the low stiffness projection comprises a radial face at an innermost or outermost surface contacting at least one of the outer component or the inner component, and wherein the at least one low stiffness projection comprises a finger projection or rib projection, wherein the at least one high stiffness projection comprises a wave projection, and wherein the at least one high stiffness projection and the at least one low stiffness projection are ordered alternatively around the sidewall, wherein the high stiffness projection has a stiffness, Khigh, wherein the low stiffness projection has a stiffness, Klow, and wherein Khigh>1.5 Klow, wherein Khigh is at least 0.1 N/mm and no greater than 100,000 N/mm, wherein Klow is at least 0.1 N/mm and no greater than 100,000 N/mm, and wherein the substrate has a thickness, Ts, of between about 10 microns to about 1500 microns.

A method, comprising:

• providing an inner component and an outer component;
• positioning a sliding component between the inner component and the outer component, the sliding component comprising:
• a sidewall comprising a substrate having at least one low stiffness projection comprising a radial face at an innermost or outermost surface and capable of elastic deformation, and at least one high stiffness projection capable of plastic deformation;
• and
• contacting the radial face of the low stiffness projection to at least one of the inner component or the outer component, and wherein the at least one low stiffness projection comprises a finger projection or a rib projection, wherein the at least one high stiffness projection comprises a wave projection, and wherein the at least one high stiffness projection and the at least one low stiffness projection are ordered alternatively around the sidewall, wherein the high stiffness projection has a stiffness, Khigh, wherein the low stiffness projection has a stiffness, Klow, and wherein Khigh>1.5 Klow, wherein Khigh is at least 0.1 N/mm and no greater than 100,000 N/mm, wherein Klow is at least 0.1 N/mm and no greater than 100,000 N/mm, and wherein the substrate has a thickness, Ts, of between about 10 microns to about 1500 microns.