Marine Bearing Series

Water-lubricated bearing

Water-lubricated bearings represent an innovative eco-friendly bearing design that utilizes water as the lubricating medium, replacing traditional lubricating oils. Bearings employing water as the lubricant offer renewable properties, environmental sustainability, and excellent thermal conductivity. During operation, water-lubricated bearings form a uniform and stable lubricating film, reducing direct contact between the bearing and shaft. This minimizes friction and wear, thereby extending bearing service life.


Primary Structure:

The standard water-lubricated bearing assembly primarily consists of: outer casing, bushing, retaining ring, fixing components, fasteners, etc. Custom specifications are detailed in technical documentation.


Bearing Bushing Materials:

① Composite Material PFC-6 and Composite Material PFC-22

② Phenolic-Based Composite Water-Lubricated Bearings

③ Polyurethane Water-Lubricated Bearings

Design Introduction

PFC-6 Features

A high-strength fiber-reinforced composite material manufactured using a unique process that maintains high compressive strength for wear resistance while preserving low friction properties. PFC-6 has demonstrated unparalleled adaptability in complex operating environments across diverse conditions.


PFC-22 Features

An advanced reinforced composite containing solid lubricants. This material exhibits exceptional wear resistance, minimal water swelling, and dimensional stability. It withstands edge loading and deflection even under the heaviest loads. Marine bearings are installed with interference fits. Bearings are typically cryogenically installed using liquid nitrogen, though press-fitting or resin plugging is also available as needed. PFC-22 proves particularly effective under prolonged lubrication-free conditions, such as upper rudder pivot bearings in light ballast scenarios. Multiple grades are available to meet diverse vessel requirements, offering resistance to silt and dry grinding. The material is cost-effective, easy to machine, and simple to install, with rapid customization available per user specifications.


Advantages

Water-lubricated bearings utilize water pressure and flow to form a lubricating film, reducing friction and wear. Water forms a thin film within the bearing clearance, minimizing friction losses during operation and enhancing efficiency. The bushings in contact with the shaft are made of polymer composite materials, capable of withstanding diverse operating conditions such as silt, heavy loads, and high temperatures. Their structures include integral, split, plate, and other configurations.

Specification

Characteristics

UnitPFC-6PFC-22

Compressive strength

N/mm² 320330

Tensile strength

N/mm² 4260

Bending strength

N/mm² 6065

Shear strength

N/mm² 6580

Impact strength

KJ/m² 150100

Rockwell hardness

-8580

Density

G/cm³1.2-1.41.2-1.4

Water absorption expansion, % Wall thickness

%<0.25<0.2

Coefficient of thermal expansion

℃*10⁵7-8
4-5
9-10
5-6

Perpendicular to the laminated surface

℃*10⁵7-8
4-5
9-10
5-6

parallel to the laminated surface

℃*10⁵7-8
4-5
9-10
5-6

Coefficient of friction

-0.08-0.190.07-0.13


For more details, please refer to:KINTOWE Water-Lubricated Bearings