Deck Equipment Bearings



ThorPlas-Blue Grease-Free Deck Machinery Bearings

 

ThorPlas-Blue

Thordon deck equipment bushings are an ideal replacement for bronze and other non-metallic bearings in deck equipment applications. ThorPlas-Blue is available in a range of sizes and is easily machined to the dimensions required for fairleads, capstans, davits, gantrys, pivot bushings, cranes, chain hoists, door and ramp hinge bearings and steering gear ram and linkage pins. 

ThorPlas-Blue delivers superior performance in all deck machinery applications:

  • Does not require grease (or greasing systems) to ensure smooth operation
  • Life-time lubricated – lubricants in the homogeneous polymer ensure a low, stable coefficient of friction, even as the bearing wears
  • Long bearing wear life with no maintenance
  • Eliminates safety issues when manually greasing bearings in hard to reach locations
  • Easily and safely machined
  • Installation is quick and easy 

Ensuring the smooth, reliable operation of all machinery installed above the waterline is a tall order for a ship's Deck Crew. Operating conditions are tough, and maintenance requirements of the equipment onerous, with the onset of bearing seizure usually imminent should periodic maintenance be delayed or overlooked. Inadequately greased bronze bushings and seawater shaft corrosion may cause bushing seizure.

Even sealed, rolling element bearings often fail prematurely as a result of salt water ingress past their simple contact seals or from the intermittent impact loads this equipment is often subjected to. The cost-effective, maintenance-free solution to solving many of these problems is ThorPlas-Blue, Thordon's new lifetime lubricated bearing material. Capable of operating pressures to 45MPa (6,527 psi), ThorPlas-Blue can be easily back-fit into virtually all applications where greased bronze is currently installed.

When a non-corroding pin or shaft liner is included as part of the conversion as recommended, ThorPlas-Blue does not require greasing to ensure smooth operation. The lubricants formulated throughout the homogenous ThorPlas-Blue polymer matrix ensure a low, stable coefficient of friction, even as the bearing wears. In applications where movement is infrequent and there is significant exposure to salt water spray, if space permits, high performance Thorseal lip seals can be considered to prevent the ingress of seawater and possible buildup of salt deposits in the bearing. Wear rates are very low compared to greased bronze ensuring long life and dramatically reduced maintenance costs.

With the elimination of grease, ThorPlas-Blue offers improved safety for the crew not having to grease these bushings located in hard to reach locations. Grease-free ThorPlas-Blue also means the disappearance of unsightly grease from view as well as the potential of grease stains on clothing.  To facilitate maintenance while under way, ThorPlas-Blue can be easily and safely machined using on-board machining facilities and then installed quickly.

Other Thordon grades may also be possible for different operating environments depending on the pressures, speed and abrasives.


Documents

 


References

 


Design

Bearing Size Icon

The final (fully finished) sizing of a Thordon elastomer or ThorPlas bearing can be determined by using the Thordon Bearing Sizing Calculation Program.

You cannot run the Thordon Bearing Sizing Calculation Program Version 2017, Release 10 without a User Registration Number. Once you have a User Registration Number you can download the Program below and enter it when prompted.

Click here to Request a Bearing Sizing Program User Registration Number

If you have a Bearing Sizing Program User Registration Number, you can download the program here



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