Customer Requirements
For many years the traditional material primarily used for ships rudder bearings was bronze, these materials provided satisfactory bearing performance and a reasonable service life, however the use of this material did necessitate additional requirements to ensure optimal performance.
The primary requirement was for grease lubrication to ensure a low operating coefficient of friction and low wear and limiting the allowable bearing pressure.
Having a lubrication system also necessitated the use of seals to prevent the ingress of water but also to prevent the leakage of grease into the ocean, all these requirements added to the complexity and cost of this type of rudder bearing system.
Added to this many port and harbor authorities now impose heavy fine on vessels found to be polluting their waters.
Tufcot’s Solution
With changes in the rudder designs, the use of synthetic bearing materials has replaced conventional materials for rudder bearings with a significant number of advantages.
Tufcot Marine rudder stock and rudder pintle bearing materials allow designers to use rudder systems that operate solely without the need for lubrication systems. They operate entirely in sea water limiting the use of seals simply to prevent sea water leaking into the vessel.
The material has its own built in solid lubrication system for the periods when the upper bearing can operate in dry running conditions during light ballast.
This also allows higher bearing pressures which can simplify the rudder design and provide cost savings from not having to provide a complicated lubrication system, plus completely removing the potential of pollution.
Conclusion
Tufcot’s Marine bearing material provides a simple, efficient and effective bearing solution.
We offer competitive prices, simplified installation, no maintenance, higher allowable bearing pressure and an exceptionally environmentally friendly solution.
