self-lubricating bronze bushings, specifically with graphite inserts, for the repair and maintenance of hydropower components. These components, such as lower stem bushes for wicket gates, are exposed to high load conditions under water. These bronze bushings are highly sought after in this context because of their notable wear resistance and durability.

The self-lubricating bearing is typically made from high strength cast brass, which demonstrates superior wear resistance even under high-load conditions underwater. The self-lubrication feature of the bearing comes from the solid lubricant used, which is often PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), a high-performance plastic known for its low friction and high melting point. This lubricant can be either leaded or lead-free, depending on the specific application and regulatory requirements.

The purpose of the graphite inserts is to further enhance the self-lubricating properties of the bearing. Graphite has excellent lubrication properties and maintains these properties even when submerged in water, making it an ideal addition to the bearing for applications in hydropower facilities.

The combination of a high-strength cast brass base, PTFE solid lubricant, and graphite inserts make these self-lubricating bronze bushings particularly well-suited for hydropower applications, especially for components that are under high load and submerged in water. The self-lubricating feature of these bearings greatly reduces the need for regular maintenance, reducing costs and downtime.

The 500SP bearing, often referred to as an “oilless” or “self-lubricating” bearing, can be an ideal choice for water turbine applications in hydroelectric power systems. This type of bearing is often composed of metal-polymer composite materials, which include a steel backing with a sintered bronze layer, and a PTFE-based sliding layer.

In a water turbine for hydro power, such bearings can have several benefits:

Maintenance-Free: As these bearings are self-lubricating, they don’t require additional lubrication. This reduces maintenance costs and downtime.

Corrosion Resistance: Given their composite nature and the inclusion of materials like bronze and PTFE, these bearings are inherently resistant to corrosion, which can be a significant benefit in a hydroelectric power environment where the bearing is in frequent contact with water.

High Load Capacity: These bearings are designed to handle high loads, a necessary feature given the substantial forces that can be exerted on a water turbine.

Reduced Friction: The PTFE-based sliding layer helps to minimize friction, enhancing efficiency and the lifespan of the turbine.

Tolerant to Misalignment and Edge Loading: These bearings can tolerate some degree of misalignment and edge loading, which can be beneficial in a turbine setting where precise alignment can be challenging.

Please note that when choosing bearings for such an application, it’s essential to consider factors like the operating conditions (including load, speed, and temperature), the surrounding environment, and the specific design of the turbine. It’s also important to consult with an engineer or a professional with expertise in hydroelectric power systems to ensure the selected bearing will meet your needs.

High-strength brass bearings with embedded solid lubricant can be an ideal choice for water turbines used in hydro power generation. The brass material provides high strength and corrosion resistance, while the embedded solid lubricant ensures low friction and self-lubrication, reducing wear and increasing lifespan. Additionally, the use of solid lubricant eliminates the need for additional lubrication systems, reducing maintenance requirements and increasing efficiency. Overall, these bearings can provide reliable and efficient performance in the harsh operating conditions of a water turbine for hydro power generation.

Recent projects and involvement with Hydro Power, placed self-lubricating bronze bearing in a strong position to serve this growing market in industry. We have been supplying self-lubricating bearings for hydropower and water gate applications for many years. Share with your original and drawing with dimensions, final machined to the drawing. The self-lubricating bronze bearings fully machined finish parts according your drawing material and size. Get Your Hydraulic Pump Bushing Bearings Quote! The exact right part, shipped in fast delivery. We offer a large selection of hydraulic pumps bushings and pump bearing parts to meet your project demands.

Gearbox rotor shaft in wind turbine systems, universal plain bearing material for both dry and lubricated applications.

Cylindrical plain bearing bushings, design ptfe metal composite bushings for wind and water power

Most wind turbine systems have a horizontally mounted 3-blade rotor. The wind rotates the rotor blades. The mechanical rotational motion is transferred from the rotor hub to the rotor shaft. The low speed of the rotor is converted to generator operation at a ratio of 1:25 through a gearbox. The rotor shaft is mounted on the hollow shaft of the gearbox in the input stage. The rotor shaft and the hollow shaft are connected at one side and rotate synchronously. Due to strong alternating stresses, the rotor shaft is twisted. This leads to a slight movement of the guiding parts. This strained contact point is usually subject to triple chemical corrosion.

Bearings with PTFE plain bearing bushings

The use of maintenance-free PTFE plain bearings prevents triple chemical corrosion and improves the quality of the guiding in the bearing position. Due to the low coefficient of friction of PTFE plain bearings, the negative effects from stick-slip are minimized.

Advantages: Reliable bearing function with PTFE plain bearings

• Maintenance-free
• Protected against triple chemical corrosion
• Low running bearing clearance
• Low wear, even under alternating stress
• Low coefficient of friction
• Material description

PTFE bushings are a versatile plain bearing material for dry and lubricated applications. This composite, multilayer material excels due to its high rigidity, durability, high chemical resistance and good emergency running characteristics. These properties are achieved in large part through the use of bronze lead sintered onto a steel base, as well as fluoropolymer PTFE and friction reducing additives of metallic lead.

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Maintenance Bearing & Bushing, Composite plain bearings are used to lubricate bronze bearings in hydropower applications. Composite self-lubricating bearings are specifically designed to meet the needs of the hydropower industry for low wear, high performance bearings.

Our expert team of application engineers works closely with customers in the hydropower industry to determine the right solution for their hydropower applications. The facility required a tight tolerance hydropower bearing with a liner that would provide dimensional flexibility to adjust for as yet undetermined offsets.

Extensive machining studies were conducted to investigate which self-lubricating bearing would provide the best machining response without compromising tribological performance. Graphite self-lubricating bronze bushings are ideal for this application because of their machinable ID and OD, dimensional flexibility, and excellent corrosion resistance. In addition, the self-lubricating bearing has negligible water absorption, resulting in excellent dimensional stability, which further contributes to its tight dimensional control. Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings

Self-lubricating bronze bearings are also used in the hydropower industry. Among the criteria that high performance bearings can meet. Unlike conventional grease-type bronze bearings, our bearings are self-lubricating with solid lubricant inserts. These inserts provide continuous lubrication over the entire sliding surface. In addition, these zero contamination bearings eliminate the possibility of water contamination by eliminating the need for toxic lubrication.

High Performance Bearings for Hydroelectric Turbines

Stainless steel fabric bearings

High-performance bearings with both high load capacity and low coefficient of friction are ideal for this application, and our plain bearings have a low coefficient of friction even at high pressures. In fact, these characteristics allow for less force to be required to adjust the gate position during operation. This helps reduce wear and allows reliable operation to last longer for the life of the plain bearing.

Hydropower bearings have proven their superior performance in hydroelectric plants around the world, from the Americas to Asia. In addition, our team of experienced sales and application engineers can provide technical support to determine the right hydropower bearing solution for your application, no matter where you are.

Learn more about self-lubricating bearings designed for hydroelectric bearing solutions for the energy market.