Bearing up to harsh tasks
March 1st 2008

Thrust bearings developed by USbased Waukesha Bearings Corporation implementing Victrex Peek polymer have provided three years of continuous use. The Hiperax bearings have been installed in wet wound heater lift pumps by Weir Engineering Services.

Made from Victrex Peek 450FC30, the bearings are insert moulded onto a substrate by High Performance Mouldings of Nottingham.

Dr Guy Pethybridge, global product manager for Waukesha Bearings Corporation, explains "Waukesha saw the need to develop a thrust bearing solution that could handle high load capacity in water-lubricated applications.

"We developed the Hiperax thrust bearing and decided to implement Victrex Peek into the design because of its unique set of excellent tribological properties and wear resistance of Victrex Peek polymer resulted in the development of Hiperax thrust bearings. The bearings can support loads of up to 8mpa while running continuously in water at 65°C.

"Victrex Peek polymer bearings provide an alternative in both oillubricated applications and those lubricated by the process fluid.

"The benefits of a polymer solution can be summarised as: higher operating temperatures up to 250°C, higher load capability, corrosion resistance when operating in process fluids, and high electrical resistivity.

"Our Hiperax thrust bearings made with Victrex Peek are still in use after three years of operation with minimal wear, despite the presence of system debris such as rust, which certainly proves polymers offer significant benefits in the right circumstances."