Types of Main Bearings Used in Marine Industry

 


Lead Bronze, Bi-Metal, and Tri-Metal bearings: These three types of bearings play a huge role in the marine industry. They are utilised to support rotating shafts and reduce friction to ensure smooth rotations. These bearings come with distinct benefits such as high load-bearing capacity, wear and corrosion resistance.

Let us explore what these three bearings are made of, how many layers they have, and what they are used for.

Lead Bronze Bearing

  • Flash layer: This topmost layer is composed of tin and lead. It is 0.035mm thick. This layer’s job is to protect the bearing from getting corroded and dust when not being used. It flashes off when a bearing is running.
  • Nickle Barrier: This 0.02mm thick layer - made of nickel - helps prevent corrosion and avoid diffusion of tin into bearing metal.
  • Lead Bronze: The third layer comes with an anti-seizing property. It is made of lead bronze. This layer is great at preventing parts from sticking together. In the setup, it is the main part that works as the bearing in this setup.
  • Steel Back: This layer provides the shape and support for the bearing, holding all the other layers together.

Lead bronze bearings are ideal for use in marine conditions where saltwater exposure is common, and in equipment that demands high load-bearing capacity and excellent wear properties.

Bi-Metal Bearing

Bi-metal bearings are commonly used in applications where high strength and load capacity are needed. They offer good performance under moderate temperatures and pressures.

  • Aluminium Tin: This is the main element of Bi-metal bearings. It is composed of Al and Sn. Its thickness usually ranges between 0.5 to 1.3mm.
  • Bonding Layer: This layer contains only one element, i.e., aluminium. The primary work of this 0.1mm thick layer is to obtain a good bond between the shell and the top layer.
  • Steel Back: The backing part is used for shape, strength, and support.

Tri-Metal Bearing

  • Flash Layer: This layer is just 1 micron thick. It is made of a mix of tin and lead. Just the way the topmost layer in lead bronze bearings acts as a protective barrier for the bearing, similarly, flash layer in tri-metal bearings keeps them safe from dust and corrosion. When the bearing starts running, this layer wears off.
  • Overlay: This 20mm thick layer is made from a combination of tin, antimony, and copper, which are the key materials in this type of bearing. This layer acts as the main component.
  • Interlay: The third layer, 5 microns thick, serves as an anti-corrosion barrier for the overlay, helping to protect it from damage.
  • Lining: This 1 mm thick layer is located between the interlay and the steel backing to provide additional support. It is made of a lead and bronze mixture.
  • Steel Back: This part of the bearing provides the shape and structure, offering the necessary support for the other layers.

Tri-metal bearings, with their three main layers (excluding the flash and steel back), provide excellent wear resistance, reduce friction, and improve load distribution. In harsh operating conditions where durability and low friction remain top priorities, tri-metal bearings are an ideal choice for heavy-duty applications.

If you are looking for one of the top bearing distributors in India, please visit us here: https://www.premierbearing.com/.

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