VESCONITE

Rudder and
Stern tube bearings
Design Manual

www.vesconite.com Long life, low friction, no swell

Contents What is Vesconite 1
Why use Vesconite 2
Classification Society Approvals 4
Vesconite Product Range 6
Vesconite - Chemical Resistance 8
Vesconite - Typical Properties 9
Interference Press Fits 10
Clearance for Rudder Bearings 10
Clearance for Water Lubricated Stern Tube Bearings 11
Outside Diameter, Inside Diameter 11
Wall Thickness 12
Grooves for Water Lubricated Stern Tube Bearings 12
Grooves for Rudder Bearings 12
Water Grooves 13
Design Loading 13
Length to Diameter Ratio 13
Machining Vesconite 14
Installing and Securing Vesconite 16
Housings 17
Mechanical Securing and Adhesive Bonding 17
Fitting Staves 17
Shaft and Other Mating Surfaces 17
Pressure and Velocity Limits 18
Field Trials 19
Company Profile 20
Warranty and Liability 20
Enquiry Service IBC
What is Vesconite? Underwater or in humid
conditions, Vesconite will not
periods between greasing or
no greasing at all, or where
VESCONITE is a specialised swell and seize which is a major water lubrication cannot be
thermoplastic made from problem with nylon bushes. ensured when operating with
internally lubricated polymers. Nor does Vesconite soften light ballasts.
It has been proven since the and wear in water like nylon.
late 1960s to be an exceptional Since 1977 Vesconite has
plain bearing material, giving Vesconite's internal lubricants been proved and approved as
long life in applications where make it eminently suited to a bearing material for marine
only the lowest rates of wear upper rudder bearing applica- applications. (See page 4)
can be accepted. Even when tions where there are long
conditions are dirty and
unlubricated, Vesconite gives
long life together with low
maintenance and low friction.
Vesconite - with very low
coefficients of friction whether
dry or underwater, unlubricated
or lubricated - is ideal for
many marine applications.
It is suited to both dry and
immersed applications. In fact
water is an excellent lubricant
for Vesconite.
For rudder and stern tube
bearings, Vesconite has many
advantages compared to
nylon, elastomers, phenolic
laminates, lignum vitae and
phosphor bronze.
Vesconite is dimensionally
stable, unlike nylon, some
elastomeric materials and
phenolic laminates.

1
Why Use Vesconite? the correct clearances The greater the clearance, the
without fear of swelling. faster the bearing wears,
Vesconite combines the Clearances do not disappear. which greatly shortens
advantages of metallic and Vesconite gives you security! bearing life.
non-metallic bearings and
bushes. For most synthetic bearing
Vesconite remains hard
materials, water swell is a
Vesconite is extremely major problem. With water In a wet environment,
versatile. It outperforms in swell, there is always a risk Vesconite does not absorb
most plain bearing of seizure. To compensate, moisture nor does it soften.
applications, whether suppliers of materials which Vesconite remains hard, and
unlubricated, grease and oil swell advise excessive keeps its compression
lubricated, or water clearances. strength and excellent
lubricated. resistance to creep.
Excessive clearances must
Long wear life be avoided for three reasons. Many synthetic bearing
Vesconite gives up to 10 materials, like those based on
times the service life of Firstly, they allow increased
elastomers and nylons, soften
phosphor bronze in poorly vibration.
and lose their compression
lubricated conditions. Secondly, when machining strength in water. This is
Vesconite keeps size - an excessive clearance, one shown in Figure 2.
no water swell is machining away part of
In the long term, humidity in
the wear life of the bearing -
Vesconite does not swell. the general environment leads
Vesconite is one of the most before installation!
to water absorption. Softening
dimensionally stable synthetic Thirdly, and most negatively, caused by humidity and
materials available as shown the rate of wear of a sleeve immersed conditions has two
in Figure 1. Vesconite bearing increases in major disadvantages for these
bearings may be machined to proportion to the clearance. materials.

Figure 1: Swell of synthetic bearing materials due to water

2
Firstly, the drop in compression Vesconite, whereas it is a major laminate. The result is that the
strength leads to creep. If the problem for many laminated surface layers of the bearing
bearing is reasonably loaded, it and composite products, for material start peeling off.
will squeeze out, and no longer example laminated phenolics, Avoid delamination problems
hold the shaft in its proper laminated polyesters and by switching to Vesconite.
location. thermosets.
Secondly, because the What is delamination? Vesconite has low
bearing surface is softer, its Delamination is the peeling off friction, even in actual
rate of wear increases of layers of the bearing. It is working conditions
dramatically, leading to a not a slow, steady process like
shorter bearing life. Compared to most
wear - instead whole layers of elastomers, rubbers, nylons
This is why Vesconite is the the bearing break off, causing and laminates, Vesconite has
marine bearing material of uneven and excessive a low friction. And this
choice - it remains hard in clearance. remains the case even in the
moist and immersed How does delamination practical, tough conditions of
conditions, keeps its occur? the real working environment.
compression strength and Laminated bearings are
maintains its excellent long Many products are claimed to
manufactured in layers, with a have a low friction, but often
life wear characteristics. fibre or cloth reinforcement. As only in the laboratory when
Vesconite does not wear at the bearing surface tested under lightly loaded
delaminate occurs, water penetrates the conditions, and before the
Vesconite is a homogenous exposed micro-channels that effects of softening caused by
bearing material without any are formed by the cloth. water. Vesconite keeps its low
lamination reinforcement. The Swelling occurs along these static and dynamic friction
result is that delamination surfaces, causing weakness whether dry or wet, or lightly
cannot take place with between the layers of the or heavily loaded.

Stress and strain comparison after water absorption

Vesconite keeps its compression strength in wet environments.
Elastomers and nylons absorb moisture, leading to softening and loss of
compression strength.

Figure 2: Vesconite maintains its compression strength whether wet or dry.

3
 Classification Societies

Vesconite has approval from the

world’s major shipping classification
societies, including:
American Bureau of Shipping
Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia
Bureau Veritas
China Classification Society
China Corporation Register of Shipping
Lloyd’s
Det Norske Veritas Register
Germanischer Lloyd
Korean Register of Shipping
Lloyd’s Register
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
RINA

Visit vesconite.com to read more about the hundreds

of vessels equipped with Vesconite during the last
25 years - ranging from pleasure boats to tankers -
testifying to the desirability of long life, low
maintenance Vesconite in marine applications.

4
Why is this important? Low when replacing a cutless or be problems with laminates
friction for a rudder bearing bronze bearing. Usually there as a result of the fibre
means less bearing wear, as is some corrosion between reinforcement.
well as smoother operation the outside of the bronze Low friction Vesconite keeps
and less wear to the whole sleeve and the housing, which lathe tooling sharp hour after
steering gear. often makes removal of the hour. This is another example
The low static friction of old bearing exceptionally of the long life, low wear
Vesconite is especially difficult. properties of Vesconite. If
beneficial to the low amplitude machining a bearing blunts
oscillating movements of
Easy removal of your tooling, think what it
rudders. With Vesconite every Vesconite bearings does to your shafts.
change of direction occurs Vesconite bearings are easy
smoothly, with a minimal to remove. Since no Vesconite
power requirement and electrolytic corrosion occurs versus white metal
without any jerking. with Vesconite, they do not Vesconite has a higher design
Test this for yourself with seize like metallic bearings. load limit than white metal
Vesconite - its the best way to Vesconite does not contain (babbitt), a higher fatigue
prove it. You will be delighted any reinforcement, and old strength and two to three
with the performance Vesconite bearings are easily times the wear life.
improvement compared to removed. This is often not the
conventional materials. case for laminated bearings: Chemical resistance
workers often struggle for In addition to its unrivalled
SOS: Save Our Shafts hours trying to cut, hammer or performance in water,
Vesconite saves your shafts. burn laminated bearings out Vesconite has a wide range
Because of its low friction, of their housings. chemical resistance, including
most users report greatly resistance to many acids,
reduced wear rates on shafts Safety and health organic chemicals and
and liners. In many Vesconite is a safe product. It solvents, hydrocarbons
applications, users have does not contain asbestos or (including gasoline), oils and
switched to Vesconite hazardous fibres. Nor does fuels. (See page 8)
because of the reduced wear, Vesconite contain any lead or
increased life and savings If you need a bearing for a
hazardous substances.
obtained on their shafts, often problem chemical application,
Vesconite has passed a series contact us - we can advise
a very expensive component.
of stringent health tests. It is whether Vesconite is suitable,
The case study of the fully approved for applications or whether we can offer
propeller shaft bearings of the in direct contact with drinking another of our speciality
Jackson pilot boat on page 19 water, both in cold and hot bearing materials.
is an example of the low shaft water.
wear rate.
Easy to machine www.vesconite.com
If shaft wear is your problem, for quick and easy to use
or you would like to extend Compared to metallic, online design calculators
your shaft life, contact us cutless, bronze or synthetic
about options. bearing materials, Vesconite
is very easy and safe to
Vesconite does not machine on standard
corrode metalworking and wood
working machinery.
Vesconite is not subject to
electrolytic corrosion, a major With Vesconite the size you
problem with traditional machine is the size you get,
metallic bearing materials. unlike elastomers which
While corrosion of the bearing stress relieve and change size
surfaces is not normally a during machining.
problem for bronze and There are no dust or health
cutless bearings, it becomes problems when machining
a major practical problem Vesconite, whereas these can
5
 Vesconite Vesconite is stocked in a wide Vesconite is available at
range of sizes and shapes. short notice for special
Product Range marine products, whether
Vesconite can be obtained
directly from dedicated semi-finished or finished to
dealerships in many parts of toleranced drawings.
the world or airfreighted within Special shapes may also be
days from the VescoPlastics’ injection moulded in
factory. Vesconite for cost effective
OEM components.

Bearings (Tubes) Stocked in 1 metre (39”) required, thus avoiding

lengths for shafts from 6 to wastage.
650 mm diameter ( 1/4” to 26”). Details of the full bearing
Large diameter bearings stock range may be
(250 mm/10” and greater) are obtained from your
also stocked in 1.5 and 3 metre Vesconite dealer or by
(5’ and 10’) lengths. completing the enquiry form
For greater economy these on the inside back cover of
can be supplied to the length this manual.

Ready-to-Fit Ready-to-Fit strut and rudder

bearings with water grooves
Bearings are stocked for shafts from
25mm (1”) to 50mm (2”)
diameters and for housings
from 40mm (11/2”) to
70mm (23/4”).
Outside diameters can be
supplied to the nearest
imperial size.

Staves Vesconite staves for large

rudder or stern tube bearings
are cut and milled from plate.
Machined staves are
produced in 1 metre (39”)
lengths or as required up to 3
metre (10’) lengths.

6
Linings Machining and lining of
sleeves and housings can be
undertaken.

Solid rods Diameters from 8 to 160 mm

(5/16” to 6”) are stocked in
1 metre (39”) lengths.
Longer lengths may be
produced upon request.

Thrust Washers Manufactured in diameters up

to 715 mm (28”).

Plates and Available in accurately produced to required

machined thicknesses from 3 lengths. Standard plate
Wear Strips to 50 mm (1/8” to 2”). Plates widths are
from 3 to 10 mm (0.118” to 200 mm (7 7/8”).
0.394”) thickness are stocked Some thicknesses are also
in lengths up to 1000 mm available as plates 600 mm
(39”). (23 1/2”) wide.
Plates from 12 to 50 mm
( 1/2” to 2”) thickness can be

Vesconite Vesconite Superclad The resulting Vesconite

technology adds great bearing is encased in a
Superclad Bearings versatility to the Vesconite reinforced Superclad jacket,
stock range. giving an extremely strong
Many customers require final structure.
special bearing sizes at short The high strength of
notice. To meet this need, a Superclad on the outside is
Superclad Vesconite bearing combined with the good
is produced. bearing properties of
A bearing with a suitable Vesconite on the inside.
inside diameter is wound with Vesconite Superclad
a cloth membrane technology can quickly and
impregnated with an epoxy economically produce
compound until the desired bearings with practically any
outside diameter is obtained. desired wall thickness for
Left to cure overnight, the shafts up to 675 mm (261/2”)
bearing is ready for machining diameter.
and despatch the next day.

7
 Vesconite - Chemical Resistance
Vesconite has a wide range or whether we can
chemical resitance, including offer another of
resistance to many acids, our speciality
organic chemicals and bearing materials.
solvents, hydrocarbons,
oils and fuels, including
gasoline.
If you need a bearing for a
problem chemical
application, contact us -
we can advise whether
Vesconite is suitable,

Vesconite has good resistance to the following solutions at ambient temperatures

5% Acetic acid Ethylene dichloride 30% Phosphoric acid

10% Acetic acid Freon II 85% conc Phosphoric acid
Acetone 5% Formic acid 10% Potassium chloride
Aniline Gasoline 10% Potassium dichromate
Benzine Glycerol (Glycerine) 1% Potassium hydroxide
Bleaching lye Glycol 10% Potassium permanganate
Brake fluid Grease Silicone fluids
Butane Heptane 1% Soap solutions
Butyl acetate Hexane 10% Sodium bicarbonate
10% Calcium chloride 10% Hydrochloric acid 10% Sodium bisulphite
Calcium hypochlorite 5% Hydrofluoric acid 20% Sodium carbonate
Carbon disulphide 30% Hydrogen peroxide 10% Sodium chloride
Carbon tetrachloride Kerosene 1% Sodium hydroxide
40% Chromic acid Methanol 10% Sodium hypochlorite
10% Citric acid Methyl ethyl ketone 30% Sulphuric acid
Cottonseed oil Mineral oils Toluene
25% Detergents Motor oils Transformer oil
Dibutyl phthalate 10% Nitric acid Turpentine
Diesel oil 100% Oleic acid Vaseline
Dioxane Olive oil Vegetable oils
Ethanol Paraffin Water
Ether (diethyl-) Perchloroethylene White spirit
Ethyl acetate Petrol Xylene

8
Vesconite - Typical Properties

Physical properties may be altered

to some extent by processing conditions.

Density / Specific gravity 1.38 g.ml-1 1.38

Melting point 260°C 500°F
Hardness (Shore D) 84 84
Tensile strength at yield (D638) 65 MPa 9,400 psi
Tensile strength at break 62 MPa 9,000 psi
Elongation at break 26% 26%
Tangent modulus of elasticity (D790) 3400 MPa 493,000 psi
Flexural yield strength 120 MPa 17,400 psi
Deflection temperature at 1.85 MPa/268 psi 93°C 200°F
Modulus of elasticity under compression 2290 MPa 332,000 psi
Compression strength at yield 92 MPa 13,300 psi
Shear strength 49 MPa 7,100 psi
Notched impact strength charpy (D256) 33 J.m-1 0.6 ft-lb/in
Notched impact strength IZOD 16 J.m-1 0.3 ft-lb/in
Thermal conductivity 0.3 W.K-1.m-1 2 Btu-in/ft2/hr/°F
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion 6x10 mm.mm .°C
-5 -1 -1
3.3x10-5 in/in/°F
Maximum moisture absorption 0.5% 0.5%
in water at 20°C/68°F
Equilibrium moisture absorption in air 0.2% 0.2%
(50% relative humidity, 23°C/73°F)
Dynamic unlubricated friction 0.12 - 0.20 0.12 - 0.20
coefficient on steel
Dielectric strength 14 kV.mm-1 360 kV/in
Gamma ray resistance 50% loss of properties 100 Mrads 100 Mrads

9
Designing Bearings

Interference
Housing diameter (inches)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
2.6 0.104
Press Fits 2.4 0.096
-20°C: 0.05mm + 0.0034 (Housing diameter)
Interference press fits are the 2.2
-4°F: 0.002” + 0.0034 (Housing diameter)
0.088

most common method for 2.0 0.080

securing Vesconite bearings. 1.8 0.072

1.6 0.064
The press fits recommended

Press fit (inches)

Press fit (mm)
for most applications may be 1.4 0.056

read off Figure 3. The graph 1.2 0.048

assumes a bearing ambient 1.0 0.040

temperature of 20°C (70°F) 0.8 0.032

when it is machined. 0.6 0.024
0°C: 0.05mm + 0.002 (Housing diameter)
Choose the press fit required 0.4
32°F: 0.002” + 0.002 (Housing diameter)
0.016

for the minimum operating 0.2 0.008

temperature of the bearing. 0.0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
0

Housing diameter (mm)

If a lower operating
temperature is anticipated, Figure 3: Press fits for rudder and stern tube bearings
contact your authorised
Vesconite distributor. Example: A rudder neck bearing is required for a housing of
533 mm (21”). The bearing will be machined in a workshop with
an ambient temperature of 20°C (70°F).
The bearing may operate in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F).
Specify the press fit required.
Using -20°C (-4°F) line in Figure 3, press fit = 1.86 mm (0.073”)

Clearance for 0 4 8
Rudder shaft diameter (inches)
12 16 20 24 28 32

Rudder Bearings
1.4 0.056

The recommended running 1.2 0.048

clearances for rudders after

fitting in well aligned housings 1.0 0.040
Fitted clearance (inches)
under normal conditions are
Fitted clearance (mm)

given in Figure 4. 0.8 0.032

No extra clearance is needed

0.6 0.024
to allow for water absorption
before entering service.
0.4 0.016
Vesconite does not absorb
water to any appreciable 0.2mm + 0.0015 (Rudder shaft dia. in mm)
0.2 0.008
extent, unlike many other 0.008” + 0.0015 (Rudder shaft dia. in inches)

synthetic materials which

0 0
swell as they absorb water. 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Rudder shaft diameter (mm)

Figure 4: Fitted running clearance for rudder bearings

Example: A rudder pintle has a diameter of 508mm (20”)
Find the fitted minimum clearance?
From Fig. 4 fitted running clearance is 0.96mm (0.038”)

10
Designing Bearings

Clearance for 0 4 8
Propeller shaft diameter (inches)
12 16 20 24 28 32
Water Lubricated 1.8 0.072

Stern Tube 1.6 0.064

Bearings 1.4 0.056

The recommended fitted 1.2 0.048

Fitted clearance (inches)

Fitted clearance (mm)
running clearance for water
1.0 0.040
lubricated stern tube and
strut bearings in well aligned 0.8 0.032
housings is obtained from
Figure 5. 0.6 0.024

0.4 0.016
0.2mm + 0.002 (Propeller shaft dia. in mm)
0.008” + 0.002 (Propeller shaft dia. in inches)
0.2 0.008

0 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Propeller shaft diameter (mm)

Figure 5: Fitted running clearance for water lubricated

stern tube bearings

Example: For a water lubricated stern tube bearing used for a

356 mm (14”) propeller shaft, find the fitted minimum clearance.
From Figure 5, the required running clearance after fitting
is 0.91 mm (0.036”).

Outside Diameter
The bearing outside diameter
Lead-in Interference Bearing
is obtained by adding the chamfer outside
press fit to the maximum diameter
diameter of the housing.
OD = housing diameter + press fit

Inside Diameter
The free standing bearing
inside diameter is obtained by
adding the maximum shaft
diameter, the press fit
multiplied by housing diameter
shaft diameter
,
and the running clearance.
When press fitted, the bearing
inside diameter is reduced by
an amount somewhat greater
Bearing
than the press fit. Hence the Housing Running Wall inside Shaft
press fit is multiplied diameter clearance thickness diameter diameter
diameter .
by housing
shaft diameter
This is called bore closure.
housing dia.
ID = shaft dia. + running clearance + ( press fit x shaft dia.
)
11
Designing Bearings

Wall Thickness cause expansion and (12 thousandths) on a free

contraction of up to 0.1%. standing bearing.
When machining, it is best
to specify and control the For example a 10°C (18°F) If the wall thickness is
bearing outside diameter temperature change on a controlled, diameter changes
and wall thickness. 500 mm (20”) diameter will not affect the running
This is because workshop bearing will result in a clearance once the bearing
temperature changes can diameter change of 0.3 mm has been press fitted.

Calculate the wall thickness as follows: Wall thickness = 0.5 [ OD - ID ]

Example: A water lubricated stern tube bearing fits into a 254 mm (10”) housing.
The stern tube is designed to carry a 203.2 mm (8”) shaft. The bearing will be machined in a
workshop with a temperature of 20°C (70°F).
From Figure 3, the bearing requires a press fit of 0.56 mm (0.022”).
Thus outside diameter = 254 + 0.56 mm [10” + 0.022”]
= 254.56 mm [10.022”]
To find the inside diameter we require the clearance.
From Figure 5 the running clearance is 0.6 mm [0.024”]
254
Thus inside diameter = 203.2 + 0.56 x 203.2 + 0.6 mm
= 204.5 mm
[ 8” + 0.022” x 10” + 0.024” = 8.052” ]
8”

Wall thickness = 0.5 (254.56 - 204.5) = 25.03 mm

[ 0.5 (10.022” - 8.052”) = 0.985”]

Grooves for Water block the water grooves and inboard end of the bearings is
interfere with water flow. recommended to prevent
Lubricated Stern abrasive particles entering the
Tube Bearings If more than one bearing is
bearings, especially when
used, radial recesses around operating in sandy conditions
Table 1 gives details of the the inner circumferences or on rivers.
water grooves and flow rates where the bearings join must
recommended for water be provided to ensure water If engine cooling water is used,
lubricated bearings. flow even if the water grooves the water temperature should
are not aligned. not exceed 55°C (130°F) to
Do not grease water avoid possible hydrolytic
lubricated Vesconite stern A positive pumped flow of degradation of Vesconite over
tube bearings. Grease may engine cooling water to the a long period of time.

Grooves for operation when the movement bearing life, and grooves may
is slow or intermittent which is be provided for this purpose.
Rudder Bearings the case in most rudder If grooves are machined into
Generally Vesconite rudder applications. rudder bearings, groove depth
bearings do not need water Initial and occasional greasing should not exceed one third of
circulation grooves. Vesconite of Vesconite rudder bearings is the Vesconite wall thickness.
is also suited to unlubricated advantageous as it increases

12
Designing Bearings

Table 1: Groove sizes and flow rates for water lubricated stern tube bearings
Shaft diameter No. of *Angle Groove width Groove depth Waterflow rate
grooves between
mm inches grooves mm inches mm inches ll min-1 gal/min
60-79 2-3 7 45° 7 0.25 4 0.15 12 3.0
80-119 3-5 7 45° 9 0.30 5 0.20 18 4.5
120-159 5-6 7 45° 10 0.35 6 0.25 24 6.0
160-199 6-8 7 45° 12 0.40 7 0.30 30 8.0
200-249 8-10 7 45° 12 0.40 8 0.30 38 10.0
250-299 10-12 7 45° 14 0.50 8 0.30 45 12.0
300-349 12-14 8 40° 15 0.50 8 0.30 53 14.0
350-399 14-16 8 40° 15 0.50 8 0.30 60 16.0
400-499 16-20 9 36° 15 0.50 9 0.35 75 20.0
500-599 20-24 10 33° 18 0.50 9 0.40 90 24.0
600-699 24-28 11 30° 18 0.50 9 0.40 105 28.0
700-800 28-32 12 27° 18 0.50 9 0.40 120 32.0

* It is recommended that no groove be located in the 6 o’clock position.

‘UV’ groove design The ‘UV’ groove design with

a round groove base and a
and recess if more chamfered edge is
than one bearing recommended as it maintains
is used a better hydrodynamic water
film. Groove depth should not
exceed half the Vesconite wall
‘UV’ groove
thickness.

Design Loading Vesconite is a high compression

strength, low creep material. Example: A 500 mm (20”)
The compression strength of long bearing with an internal
Vesconite at yield is over 90 diameter of 400 mm (16”)
MPa (13,000 psi). This allows can support a load of
for static design loads of up to 50 cm x 40 cm x 300 kg.cm-2
30 MPa (300 kg.cm-2) (4,400 psi) [ 20” x 16” x 4,400psi ]
provided the bearing is = 600 000 kgs [1,408,000 lbs ],
supported within a rigid that is 600 metric tons.
housing.

Length to Diameter Traditionally, water lubricated load capabilities of Vesconite,

stern tube bearings have been this bearing surface is more
Ratio of Stern Tube designed with a bearing length than adequate. In many
Bearings equal to four times the shaft applications, shorter length
diameter. Because of the high bearings may be used.

13
Machining Vesconite
Vesconite XL bearings are
easily machined on standard 1 4
lathes if proper support is Align and face one end Machine the inside
provided to prevent of the bearing square. (A) diameter, again with the
deformation and cracking. This helps with alignment support disc in place.
later.
When machining a large
Use the internal support
bearing, the machinist has disc machined to
many options, depending on size to prevent
the diameter and length of distortion and cracking. A B
the bearing and the lathe or
boring mill available.
By taking the following
important precaution, the
B A
machinist will find Vesconite
bearings a pleasure to 5
machine:
Switch bearing around
When chucking the bearing, to part to length.
always use an inside 2 A new disc machined
support disc machined Swop bearing around, size-to-size with the
size-for-size to the bearing final bearing inside
align and face the diameter will be
inside diameter to prevent other end. (B)
possible cracking. required for support.
Again use the disc to
Machine the support from a support the inside
steel plate, disc or washer, diameter.
25 - 35 mm (1 - 11/2") thick. B A

A B

Support disc, Larger diameter • When taking rough cuts,

measure wall thickness as
machined to support disc,
size. machined 3 a check on accuracy and
ovality.
size-to-size with
final bearing
inside diameter.
Machine the outside
diameter of the bearing,
• If more than 15mm ( 3/4")
has to be removed from
again with the either the outside or inside
Do not clamp Vesconite like a support disc in place. diameters of the bearing,
metal, but clamp gently and first semi-finish both the
with care to avoid distortion. inside and the outside
diameters to approximately
A B 5mm (1/4") oversize.
• When machining large
bearings ensure that the
free end of the bearing is
suitably supported.

For best internet support

and online design calculators
www.vesconite.com

14
Machining Vesconite
Machining Grooves on Use a tool up to the width of or rapid advance taking a cut
Centre Lathes the groove required in a up to 1.5 mm ( 1/16”) maximum
boring bar. Lock the chuck at a time until the required
into position. groove depth is obtained.
Move the tool through the
bearing using the hand wheel

Machining Tolerances Outside diameter tolerance Wall thickness tolerance

% of outside diameter % of wall thickness
The following are acceptable
tolerances for the bearing +0.2% +0.0%
outside diameter and wall -0.0% -0.5%
thickness:

Cutting Speeds Cutting Feeds

Up to 300m (1000’) per minute Rough: 0.5 - 0.7mm (0.020 - 0.030”) per revolution
Finish: 0.3 - 0.4mm (0.012 - 0.016”) per revolution

Turning Speed Guidelines: Bearing outside diameter RPM

200 mm 8” 350
300 mm 12” 300
400 mm 16” 200
500 mm 20” 150
600 mm 24” 100
700 mm 28” 70

Cutting Tools Tool Cutting Angles

Use sharp high speed tools Top rake
0° - 5°
or tungsten carbide tips Side rake 5° - 11°
with high clearances and
positive rake angles. Front clearance 5° - 11°
Rough cuts up to
5 mm (1/4") deep
may be taken,
with a finishing
cut of at least
1 mm (1/32").
Allow the
bearing to
cool before
taking final
cuts.

15
Installing and Securing Vesconite Bearings
Freeze fitting is the easiest Using Liquid Nitrogen container is needed.
way to install Vesconite It is important to ensure that
Use an insulated container as
bearings. Dry ice is an ideal the liquid nitrogen does not
shown below. The container
agent but liquid nitrogen can come into direct contact
may be any suitably sized
be used if dry ice is not
metal drum. with the Vesconite bearing.
available.
To insulate, simply wrap Allow the bearing to cool for
Using Dry Ice around with glass or rock wool, approximately 1 to 11/2 hours
or several layers of corrugated which should be enough to
Vesconite has a thermal cardboard, or bubble wrap. shrink it sufficiently for a
expansion coefficient of 6 x These may be held in place by sliding fit.
10-5 mm/mm/°C (3.3 x 10-5 tape, wire or strapping. Measure the top outside
in/in/°F).
Place the bearing on wooden diameter with a vernier to
Cooling in dry ice for two to blocks or bricks to raise it ensure that sufficient shrinkage
three hours reduces bearing 150 mm (6”) above the bottom has occurred before removing
temperatures by 40 to 60°C of the container. Do not place the bearing from the container.
(70 to 100°F). This results in a the bearing directly onto the Use nitrogen only in well
shrinkage of 1,2 mm (0.05”) floor of the container. ventilated areas. Take care in
on a 500 mm (20”) diameter Place a loose fitting lid on top handling and adhere to the
bearing. of the container. If the lid is general safety rules for liquid
Good ventilation must be made from chipboard or nitrogen as it can cause
used in confined spaces to plywood 18 to 25 mm thick severe burns. Consult your
avoid possible lack of air. (0.75” to 1”), it will act as an supplier of liquid nitrogen for
insulator as well. detailed precautions. Safety
visors and protective clothing
Slowly pour liquid nitrogen into should be used.
the bottom of the container -
about 50 mm (2”) deep.
Only sufficient liquid nitrogen
to cover the bottom of the

Lid
Vesconite bearing
packed in a container
with dry ice.

Vesconite Insulation
bearing material
packed in a
container
supported by
wooden blocks
100-150 mm
(4-6”) high. Liquid
nitrogen up
to 50mm
deep

Ensure that liquid nitrogen does not come into

direct contact with Vesconite bearing.

16
Installing and Securing Vesconite Bearings

Housings While Vesconite is a fairly rigid housings should be avoided,

material, it will generally unless the housing is made
conform to the size and shape round or in-line through
of the housing. Therefore machining.
out-of-round or out-of-line

Mechanical As a standard safety

precaution, bearings should
Securing always be secured using
conventional mechanical means Grub screw
such as keeper rings. Grub Edge well
screws may be used on small chamfered
bearings.
Mechanical securing to prevent
possible rotation and end
keeper rings are especially
important for bearings that may Keeper
plate
be used in sub-zero conditions.

Adhesive Bonding If desired, anaerobic initially with Loctite Primer T

adhesives such as Loctite and allow to dry.
603 or 648 retaining Loctite 603 or 648 (former for
compound may be used. smaller gaps and the latter for
Adhesive bonding is larger gaps) should be applied
recommended when using to both the Vesconite bearing
sliding fits. and metal housing surfaces.
Machine a lead in chamfer of The bearing should be
15° to 35° on the leading pressed into place and
edge of the bearing. Prime excess adhesive wiped off.

Fitting Staves Fitting of Vesconite staves is

facilitated by cooling the
staves in dry ice for 3 hours
before fitting.

Shaft and Other Metal mating surfaces must Carbon steel and hardened
be suited to the wear steel shafts may be used as
Mating Surfaces conditions encountered, for mating surfaces provided that
example when operating in they do not corrode under the
sandy conditions. Hard shaft conditions of use.
surfaces ensure longer shaft A good finish of the order of
and bearing life. 0.5 micrometre Ra (20 micro-
Hardchrome plated surfaces, inches Ra) should be provided
seawater corrosion resistant on shaft surfaces.
stainless steel and admiralty Rough surface finishes and
and gunmetal bronze liners corroded and scored shafts
are generally satisfactory as will cause wear of Vesconite
mating surfaces for bearings and should be
Vesconite. avoided.

17
Pressure x Velocity All bearing materials have operation are whether friction
limits in their ability to sustain is reduced through water or oil
(PV) Limits a given loading at a particular lubrication, and whether heat
speed. This is known as the removal occurs either through
pressure x velocity limit or PV circulating water or oil.
limit. The recommended PV limits
Apart from pressure and for Vesconite are given in
velocity, the PV limit of Table 2. If your application
Vesconite depends upon has PV values higher than
operating conditions. The those shown, consult your
most significant factors in dealer or the manufacturer.

Table 2: Recommended Vesconite PV limits

PV limit
Operating condition MPa.m.min-1 psi-ft/min
Dry - no lubrication 5 2,500
Greased on assembly 10 5,000
Lubrication at regular intervals 20 10,000
Circulating oil lubrication 40 20,000
Circulating water lubrication 200 100,000

Photograph: Safmarine

18
Field Trials of The very long service life of Superior wear figures were
Vesconite stern tube bearings obtained. Strut bearing wear
Vesconite Stern is demonstrated by 25 years of of between 1.5 and 3.0 mm
Tube Bearings experimental and survey results (60 and 120 thousandths) was
obtained from the RP Jackson, measured after each 5 year
a harbour pilot cutter. period of service, equivalent
to 0.4 mm (20 thousandths)
The RP Jackson has two
wear per year.
145 mm (5.7”) propeller shafts
held by A frames with bearings The observed wear figures
550 mm (21.6”) long. were remarkably low given
The RP Jackson sails in and the sandy harbour waters the
RP Jackson operates in.
off Durban harbour under fairly
severe conditions. These An advantage of Vesconite
waters invariably contain bearings confirmed in the
relatively high concentrations RP Jackson trials was that
of abrasive, suspended sand the wear on the propeller
particles arising mainly from shaft lining was reduced
propeller wash. substantially.

The RP Jackson, operating on Vesconite bearings for over 25 years.

19
Company Profile internally lubricated and anti-friction processes, as
thermoplastic bearing well as precision engineering
materials. since the 1950’s. It is a
Vesconite is produced in what VescoPlastics - the developers company with a long tradition
is probably the largest factory and manufacturers of of developing products and
of its kind in the world, Vesconite - have been techniques for problem solving
dedicated to the development, involved in the production of where quality and service are
production and application of bearing materials, anti-wear the chief concerns.

Limited Warranty application be treated as

and Limitation of individual and unique. 3 Goods are supplied on
the express condition
that the Company’s liability is
Liability This information is offered in
good faith as part of our client limited to the replacement of
service, but favourable results defective goods or materials.
1 This design manual is
based upon many years
cannot be guaranteed. This
of experience of
VescoPlastics (the Company)
manual is intended for use by
persons with technical skill, at 4 The Company does not
hold itself responsible
for any damage, incidental or
their discretion and risk. The
in manufacturing and purchaser must determine the consequential loss suffered as
installing Vesconite. suitability of the goods for a result of the use of goods
Experience shows that no two their intended purpose. supplied.
applications are the same in
every detail so the Company
encourages that every 2 The Company reserves
the right to change or 5 Acceptance of goods
will be held to imply
amend any recommendation agreement to the above
or specification without notice. conditions.

20
22
Enquiry Service
You will be surprised to learn how competitively priced
Vesconite bearings are. For a free quote, fax the following details to
Vesco Plastics Sales (+27 11) 616 2222 or
(+27 11) 615 3810.

Bearing Application
Rudder/Pintle bearings Other (specify)........................
Stern tube/Strut/V-bracket ...............................................
(water lubricated)

Dimensions mm’s inches

Shaft diameter.................................................
Housing diameter............................................
Bearing length ................................................

Customer Details
Enquiry from .........................................................................................................
Address ................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
Country ............................................... Postal code ............................................
Telephone ........................................... Fax..........................................................
E-mail.................................................. Website...................................................

Visit www.vesconite.com
for information on Vesconite applications in numerous
industries including marine, pumps, water
treatment, sewage, fish farming,
hydro-electric, mineral processing.
Order Design Manuals online or use our
Marine Design-a-Bearing calculator program for
instant answers to your design questions.

P O Box 40647, Cleveland, 2022 South Africa

Tel (+27 11) 616-1111 or 616-4444
Fax (+27 11) 616-2222 or 615-3810
e-mail: vesconite@vesconite.com

www.vesconite.com
IBC
 Vesconite bushings worldwide.
Super large, super quick.
Any size possible.

Argentina Hong Kong South Africa

Ves Arg TOLL FREE VescoPlastics Sales
T: +54 11 4716 21 03 800 930 211 T: +27 11 616 11 11
F: +54 11 4716 20 70 F: +27 11 616 22 22
www.vesconite.com

Australia Ireland South Africa

TOLL FREE TOLL FREE VescoPlastics Factory
1 800 833 448 1 800 552 711 T: +27 57 212 00 00
F: +27 57 212 66 66
F: +61 386 485 671
vesconite@vesconite.com

Brasil Netherlands United Arab

TOLL FREE TOLL FREE Emirates
0800 891 87 16 0 8000 223 805 TOLL FREE
800 027 01 03

Canada New Zealand United Kingdom

TOLL FREE TOLL FREE TOLL FREE
1 866 682 34 84 0800 450 878 0800 731 97 45
F: (416) 352 15 27 T: 020 323 990 44
F: +44 207 681 34 44

Chile Portugal USA

T: +56 2 570 3855 TOLL FREE TOLL FREE (7 to 5 ET)
800 827 007 1 866 635 75 96
T: (713) 574 7255
F: (212) 937 31 84

Germany Singapore
T: +49 443 1892 3899 Vesco Plastics SEA
T: +65 6 481 87 28
F: +65 6 481 69 28