An actuator includes: a cylinder, formed of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), that extends along an actuator axis between a cylinder first end and a cylinder second end, and defines a cylinder inner diameter surface; a screw shaft that extends along the actuator axis between a screw shaft first end and a screw shaft second end, that is at least partially within the cylinder, and that is operationally connected, intermediate of the screw shaft first and second ends, to the cylinder second end; a screw shaft head affixed to the screw shaft first end, that in operation rotates relative to the cylinder, and that defines a screw shaft head outer diameter surface that faces the cylinder inner diameter surface with a slip fit therebetween; and a bearing ring affixed to the screw shaft head outer diameter surface, that is formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK).