PTFE Faced Bearings for Marine Applications

Abstract

PTFE faced bearing technology, already established for hydro generator use, has been further developed for civil and military marine applications. The paper describes this type of bearing and the advantages compared with conventional babbitt. Details of testing and a description of a PTFE-faced thrust bearing supplied for the Japanese Techno Super Liner project are also presented.

Thrust block performance improvements using polymer lined tilting pads

“…The size of the bearing elements was reduced to make use of the increased load capacity of PTFE facings both at normal running speed and under low speed and start-up conditions. At high speed, the thrust pad loading is within experience for PTFE faced bearings operational on surface ships of 5.5 MPa (Knox & Simmons, 2006).…”

“…One exception to the blanket statement regarding a lack of uptake of polymer bearings within the marine and naval sectors was a bearing described by Knox and Simmons (2006). This vessel was propelled by a pair of large water jet propulsors and weight savings were of very high importance.…”