D R I E – D Lagertechniek bv DATA SHEETS

D R I E – D Lagertechniek bv 

the right perspective 

D-GLIDE MAINTENANCE 

FREE PLAIN BEARINGS 

DATA SHEETS

DRIE-D Lagertechniek bv 


Kiotoweg 120, 3047 BG, Rotterdam, NL 

telephone: (+31) 10 - 462 07 00 

telefax: (+31) 10 - 462 07 07 

E-mail: mail@drie-d.nl 

internet: www.drie-d.nl 

DATA SHEETS D-GLIDE 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION D-GLIDE 

D-glide is the family name of a series of modern composite bearing materials. All varieties consist 

of a combination of modern man-made fibres and resins and are being produced according to the 

latest technology. 

The D-glide P, F and X qualities contain, amongst other ingredients, PTFE. This has resulted in 

friction values for these materials that are on an unequalled low level, compared with other plastic 

bearing materials as well as with respect to conventional lubricated plain bearings. Also the 'stickslip' 

behaviour, for practical applications a very important property, is better than of other plain 

bearings. 

A major advantage of D-glide bearing is that in most cases they do not need lubrication. Depending 

on the application, still increases in lifetime compared with, for example, 'bearing bronze' of 2 

to 10 times are feasible. Lubrication also does not have a bad influence and not only oils and 

greases, but almost all non-abrasive media can act as lubricant. 

Most D-glide qualities do not guide electricity which means that in corrosive environments corrosion 

of shafts and other surrounding metal parts is being prevented. Because the materials are 

virtually inert reactions with, for example, food and cleaning substances almost never occur. Absorption 

of water and other fluids is negligible. Besides the 4 standard qualities it is also possible to 

quickly and efficiently 'tailor make' a bearing quality, if for a specific application this leads to a better 

result. 

Thanks to the great strength of D-glide (up to more than 400 MPa), very high effective loads are 

possible. The load limit always depends on the application of a bearing but real loads of over 200 

MPa are attainable. This is 10 times more than in a well-designed construction would be allowed 

on a bronze bearing! D-glide X does not creep and of the other D-glide qualities a non-creeping 

version is available. 

D-glide is delivered as finished bearing in all possible shapes and dimensions and as sheet and 

tube material. There also is a series of maintenance and corrosion free spherical bearings. 

DRIE-D not only supplies the materials, but also the knowledge to make optimum use of them. The 

activities range from delivery of the materials to simple bearing calculations to engineering of complex 

bearing constructions to turnkey delivery of complete projects. 

Thanks to this unique combination of properties the result with DRIE-D's D-glide bearings 

virtually always is a far better bearing construction or a bearing construction with a better 

price-performance ratio. 

data sheets UK, D-glide complete, 2008, page 3




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DESCRIPTION D-GLIDE P 

D-glide P is a composite bearing material that in most applications requires no lubrication or any 

other kind of maintenance. It allows very high loads, wear rates and friction values are low and 

chemical resistance is good. D-glide P can be used dry as well as in sea water and most other 

fluids, just some concentrated acids, bleaches and a few hydro-carbons pose a possible treat to 

material integrity. Basically the running behaviour is not very much influenced by the presence or 

absence of fluids, until hydro dynamic lift starts to play a role. However in such and other 'high 

speeds' applications D-glide F is better choice. 

D-glide P is mainly used in joints, hinges and other mechanical connections where no high sliding 

speeds occur, both on land as well as in marine environments. D-glide P does not conduct electricity 

and contains no metals or other ingredients that could initiate or accelerate corrosion, thus 

avoiding or at least reducing all kinds of corrosion problems. It is friendly for the counter face material 

which means that most current steels can be used without hardening or any other treatment. 

This combination or properties make D-glide P a good choice to replace many lubricated or self 

lubricated bronze bushing and other metal bearings as well as a superior replacement for all 

thermo plastic - PA, PE, POM, etcetera - bearings. 

The main properties of D-glide P are summarised in the table below. 

property 

unit 

compressive strength (MPa) 325 

shear strength (MPa) 95 

stiffness under compression (MPa) 2000 

density (10 3 kg/m 3 ) 1.25 

water absorption (%) 0.15 

coefficient of thermal expansion (10 -6 /°C) 65 

chemical resistance (-) good 

colour (-) blue 

maximum temperature (°C) 130 

minimum temperature (°C)




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DESCRIPTION D-GLIDE F 

D-glide F is a composite bearing material that in almost all applications requires no lubrication or 

any other kind of maintenance. Besides the fact that it is maintenance free the material is characterized 

by the very low wear rates and friction values. For already a long time composite materials 

outlast thermo-plastic bearings and ‘self lubricating’ metal bearings by far and within this group of 

composite materials, D-glide F has proven many times that wear rates are among the lowest of all 

materials available. At the same time the mechanical properties are on a very high level with real 

average bearing pressures reaching values of 200 MPa or more. 

Because of the low friction values and the, for a composite, high allowable working temperature 

plus the fact that the friction values do not increase with temperature, which applies to almost all 

other composite bearings, the material can be used in relatively high speed and high ‘PV value’ 

applications. 

D-glide F does not conduct electricity thus avoiding or at least reducing all kinds of corrosion problems. 

It is friendly for the counter face material which means that most current steels can be used 

without hardening or any other treatment. 

Chemically D-glide F is virtually inert, only some concentrated acids or bases might affect the material. 

Water swell is negligible meaning that D-glide F can be used in virtually any environment 

without precautions. 

The main properties of D-glide F are summarised in the table below. 

property 

unit 




density (10 3 kg/m 3 ) 1.35 




colour (-) light brown 






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DESCRIPTION D-GLIDE FT 

D-glide FT is D-glide F with a special ‘high PTFE content’ sliding layer. With respect to friction values 

and wear rates there is no material that comes even close to PTFE but mechanical properties 

of PTFE are poor. For this reason most D-glide qualities contain PTFE, homogeneously dispersed 

in the material but the percentage that can be included this way is limited. 

To increase the percentage of PTFE in the contact surface DRIE-D has developed D-glide FT. The 

sliding layer does not have the full strength of normal D-glide F but with limited layer thicknesses 

this is hardly significant for the bearing as a whole. Compared with D-glide F the friction values and 

wear rates are reduced by 20 tot 80 percent and, even more important, there is hardly if difference 

between static and dynamic friction. This means that the chance that a D-glide FT bearing originates 

any noise of moves in a non-uniform motion is almost reduced to zero. 

Because the sliding layer is not as tough as normal D-glide F the resistance against abrasive wear 

is slightly reduced. There are more bearing materials available with a thin PTFE based sliding layer 

but these normally have metal ‘carriers’, meaning that when the sliding layer gets damaged or is 

worn away there is no bearing function left resulting in acute stand still, damaged counter faces 

and other unwanted effect. One of the ‘charms’ of D-glide FT is that when for some reason the 

sliding layer is no longer functional there will be a normal D-glide F contact surface left. This 

means, going from an excellent bearing to a good bearing instead of going from a good bearing to 

no bearing at all. In brief: D-glide FT is a good choice for applications where lower wear rates or 

friction values are required than possible with D-glide P or F. 

The main properties of D-glide F are summarised in the table below. 

property 

unit 




density (10 3 kg/m 3 ) 1.35 

water absorption, submerged (%) 0.3 









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DESCRIPTION D-GLIDE FS 

D-glide FS is a special variety of the D-glide F material. The bearing properties are identical to 

those of D-glide F, but due to a different combination of fibres the mechanical properties are different. 

D-glide FS has been developed for high load applications where with D-glide F or P creep may 

occur. The stiffness of D-glide FS is approximately twice as high as of D-glide F but can be adjusted 

upwards and downwards when desired. In practice this means that the material is suited to 

be loaded for a long period of time with much higher pressures than would be acceptable for almost 

any other composite plain bearing material besides D-glide X. 

As all other D-glide qualities it, in most circumstances, requires no lubrication or any other kind of 

maintenance. It is also non–metallic and an electrical insulator thus preventing many corrosion 

problems. 

This combination of properties makes it first of all a very cost effective solution for all application 

where bearing loads can get up to more than 50 MPa for a longer period of time and other bearings 

materials creep, flow or ‘hammer out’. A second range of applications where the unique combination 

of properties show to full advantage, is those where bearings are used in systems with 

stationary shafts and revolving bearings. With bearings with a lower stiffness in these applications 

the bearings are compressed creating a situation in which the shaft is always ‘running up a hill’ of 

bearing material. This introduces great stresses in the material often causing early bearing failure 

and highly increases the running resistance. Due to the higher stiffness of D-glide FS this effect 

occurs at far higher loads. 

The main properties of D-glide FS are summarised in the table below. 

property 

unit 



stiffness under compression (MPa) 3000 – 6000 

density (10 3 kg/m 3 ) 1.35 










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DESCRIPTION D-GLIDE FC 

D-glide FC is a variety of D-glide F with which it shares the main mechanical properties. As all 

other D-glide qualities it is designed to be used without lubrication or any other kind of maintenance. 

D-glide FC has been developed to further reduce wear rates, especially in less than ideal circumstances. 

This includes many linear applications where the counter face conditions are not as well 

controlled as is usually the case in rotating motions. D-glide FC is even less sensitive than the 

other D-glide qualities to intrusion of foreign particles (for example sand or rust) in the contact surface. 

This gives the material a very constant long term behaviour; low wear rates and low and constant 

friction values, also in polluted environments. 

Applications include linear slides in hoisting equipment, drill floor tools, various slides on board 

dredging vessels, joints and hinges on board railway vehicles - amongst others in the brake systems 

- and even bottom plates of (formula) racing cars. In all of these applications D-glide FC outlasted 

the previously used materials by a factor 2 up to a factor 10 or more, all without lubrication. 

Lubrication is allowed and usually has no negative effects on the behaviour of the bearing. When 

used in abrasive circumstances some extra care is required in choosing the counter face material. 

Especially in rotating applications a minimum hardness of HB 220 is advised. For linear applications 

this is less critical but still an important design feature. 

The main properties of D-glide FC are summarised in the table below. 

Property 

Unit 




density (10 3 kg/m 3 ) 1.35 




colour (-) orange-pink 






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DESCRIPTION D-GLIDE U 

D-glide U can be seen as an improved version of D-glide F. It shares the good running properties 

of D-glide F but thanks to the use of different fibres, the resistance against abrasive wear is even 

better. Also maximum strength and stiffness are slightly higher than of D-glide F. Creep is an unknown 

phenomenon for D-glide U. Perhaps the most significant improvement over D-glide F is the 

much higher allowable temperature, better temperature stability and the fact that properties hardly 

change with increasing temperatures. 

This makes D-glide U suitable for applications where in high ambient temperatures (over 100 °C) 

maintenance free bearings are required or for example in high-speed applications where the bearings 

have to run run dry for a certain amount of time. D-glide U is the only asbestos free plain bearing 

material that in potential and possible use comes close to or even surpasses the old asbestos 

materials. The abrasion resistance is better as is the dimensional stability because it does not absorb 

water. Typical applications for D-glide U are found in for example steel mills and other environments 

with high ambient temperatures and in heavily loaded pumps. 

D-glide U does not conduct electricity thus avoiding or at least reducing all kinds of corrosion problems. 

It is friendly for the counter face material however in high speed or abrasive circumstances a 

hardened counter face material is advised. Chemically D-glide U is virtually inert, only some concentrated 

acids or bases might affect the material. Water swell is negligible meaning that D-glide U 

can be used in almost all environments without precautions. 

The main properties of D-glide U are summarised in the table below. 

property 

unit 




density (10 3 kg/m 3 ) 1.4 










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Remarks to the tables: 

1 The strength of a composite material is no objective value but depends on the shape of the test sample and the 

direction of the load. Given values apply to a flat sample of 50 x 50 x 5 mm and are determined at a temperature of 

20°C. 

2 Given loads are failure loads, bearing design pressures are lower and depend on application details. 

3 The values for water absorption indicate the maximum increase in wall thickness for a bearing that is continuously 

immersed in water. 

4 The thermal expansion is perpendicular to the normal fibre orientation, the expansion parallel to the fibres if less. 

5 With reference to the chemical resistance the main threats comes from concentrated acids and bases. With D-glide 

P and F also caution must be taken in contact with solvents such as ‘Tri’ and ‘Tetra’. In case of use of the bearings 

in a chemically aggressive environment please always consult DRIE-D. 

6 The maximum temperatures given are the temperatures that the materials can withstand for a longer period of time 

without negative consequences, briefly higher temperatures are allowed. 

7 For use of D-glide bearings at temperatures of over 80 °C please always consult DRIE-D. 

8 D-glide does not have a ‘glass-temperature’, there is no fixed bottom temperature, it does not get brittle. The stiffness 

increases with decrease of the temperature and the other way around. 

9 With reference to the friction values the given lower limits indicate what is feasible under optimal conditions, it is 

advised to base calculations on the upper limits. 

10 With reference to the wear resistance this is the reduction in wall thickness as a function of the sliding distance. 

Given indications come from comparisons with conventional and other plastic bearings in typical applications in 

good conditions. 

11 With reference to the resistance against abrasive wear this is the reduction in wall thickness as a function of the 

sliding distance. Given indications come from comparisons with conventional and other plastic bearings in typical 

applications in strongly polluted environments. 

12 With reference to the hardness of counter faces, minimal values of ~HB180 are advised. In case of abrasive conditions, 

high sliding speeds in combination with high loads or vibrations a harder counter face material could be required. 

Again when in doubt contact DRIE-D. 

13 With reference to the roughness of counter faces a Ra value of 1.2µ or better is advised, but not lower than 0.2µ 





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CRANE BUILDING 

Application: 

D-glide F bushings are used in the main hinges of a large floating harbour crane. Shaft diameter is 

ø560 mm. The originally proposed roller bearings could not be guaranteed for this application. The 

D-glide F bearings used instead are now fully maintenance free and the costs were less than one 

third of the original. 

Advantages of the D-glide solution 

- maintenance free 

- high allowable peak loads (6 times more than roller bearings) 

- easy installation (low weight) 

- simple design 

- low cost 

- wear indicator possible 

- maximum reliability (no external provisions needed) 

Files 

Crane building, 1.jpg: 



D-glide F main hinge bearing, shaft ø560, being frozen in liquid Nitrogen. 

Cold D-glide F main hinge bearing (-196 °C) being installed in the housing. 

D-glide F main hinge bearings installed. 





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D-GLIDE SPHERICALS 

Application 

D-glide Sphericals are spherical bearings made both to international standards as well as designed 

for purpose. They consist of a D-glide ‘sphere’ fitted with a stainless steel sleeve which together 

form the inner part that moves inside a stainless steel housing. Because of the combination of materials 

used they are maintenance free as well as corrosion free and can be used dry as well as 

submerged in (sea) water and almost all other fluids. Load ratings are on a similar level to steel-onsteel 

or other maintenance free bearings. 

Typical applications: hydraulic cylinders, (sluice) doors, draw-bridges. 



- usable in any environment, wet and dry 

- interchangeable with other spherical bearings 

- different properties easily possible (larger angles, other material combinations, etcetera) 

- maximum reliability (no external provisions needed) 

- both radial and axial versions available 

Files 

D-glide Sphericals, 1.jpg: 

D-glide Sphericals, 2.jpg: 

A collection of both standard and custom build D-glide Sphericals, 

i.a.:special 27° tilt angle bearings for aircraft simulators. 

Type 320 D-glide Sphericals used in hydraulic cylinders in a ‘split 

hopper dredger’, more than 4 times outlasting both lubricated 

steel-on-steel and other maintenance free ones. 

D-glide Sphericals, Axial, 1.jpg: D-glide Spherical thrust bearings, ø260 and ø280 for Flender 

transmission cutter dredger 





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D-GLIDE ‘NON-SPHERICALS’ 

Application 

Spherical bearings are used a lot in the eyes if hydraulic cylinders and many other joints and 

hinges where the alignment of shaft and housing can not be guaranteed. In wet and dirty environments 

it is difficult to keep these bearings (both the lubricated as well as the maintenance free 

ones) in a good condition. Seals and lubrication must be in a perfect condition in order to keep the 

bearings alive. In many of these application the maximum misalignment angles are limited. If (in 

general) these angles are limited to no more than 0.5° they can be replaced by D-glide bushings in 

one piece with the same dimensions and geometry. The flexibility of the bearings is sufficient to 

cope with the misalignment. The result is a inexpensive, reliable bearing, without moving parts and 

without the need for external provisions like seals or lubrication. 


- no moving parts 

- easy installation 

- no corrosion 

- very low cost 

- short delivery times 

Files 

Various D-glide F parts, 3.jpg: 

Shipping, 1.jpg: 

Picture of ‘D-glide Non-Sphericals’ replacing the spherical 

bearings with the same dimensions 

D-glide bearings in the joints and hydraulic cylinders of deck 

hatches. 





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DREDGING, A-FRAME AND SUCTION TUBE SHEAVES AND SWIVELS 

Application 

D-glide bushings in the ladder sheaves and swivel construction and on the under-water sheaves of 

the suction tube. Because of the location it is difficult to get lubrication to these positions and because 

of environment (sandy, slat and wet) it is difficult to keep anything in good shape. After repeated 

failure of the seals, the bronze bushings and the roller bearings used in these positions 

were replaced by D-glide washers and bushings (with incorporated seals) and since then no bearing 

has failed. 



- very reliable (not depending in external provisions) 

- no modifications to the current design required 

- useable both above and under water 

- suited for this hostile environment 

Files 

Dredging, 1.jpg: 

Deck view of the A-frames of the suspension of the suction tube 

with the sheaves, also D-glide bushings in the under water 

sheaves on the ‘tube sheave blocks’ 





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HYDROPOWER 

Application 

The bearings of a medium size hydropower plant needed to be replaced and the owners decided 

to use the opportunity to make all bearings maintenance free using D-glide F bearings. 



- no modifications 

- smooth operation 

Files 

Hydropower, 1.jpg: D-glide F bearings in connecting rods 

Hydropower, 2.jpg: ditto 

Hydropower, 3.jpg: D-glide F impellor bearing 

Hydropower, 4.jpg: View of one of the turbines 

Hydropower, 5.jpg: Refurbishment of a jet injection needle 

Hydropower, 7.jpg: View of the plant (5 x 7.5 MW) 





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OFFSHORE, 900 T SHEAVE 

Application 

One of a series of 3 sheaves (one under water, one splash zone, one dry) with a maximum bearing 

load of 900 Metric Tons. DRIE-D designed and produced the D-Glide bearings in 3 weeks, the 

costs were much lower than those of any of the investigated alternatives and this solution was the 

only one truly maintenance free. 


- fully maintenance free 

- compact design 

- low cost 

- no seals, grease lines or any other external provisions 

- high safety factor 


Files 

Offshore - 900 T sheave.jpg: 

Picture of one of the 3 identical sheaves with D-glide F bushings, 

with incorporated seals to keep dirt out of the bearings, and separate 

thrust washers (Sheave weight: 7 MT each after 6.5 MT each 

had been machined off). 





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OFFSHORE, DECK FAIRLEAD 

Application 

Horizontal, deck mounted fairleads normally use large roller bearings for the barrel. To keep them 

in good condition seals and lubrication are essential and even than they do not live forever. Roller 

bearings in these dimensions (shaft diameters of ø700 and up) are expensive and delivery times 

are long. Thanks to the low friction values of D-glide for this kind of applications often D-glide bearings 

are a good alternative. DRIE-D has the ability to mount D-glide sheet material in radius in a 

metal housing and this way on short term any size bearing can be produced against a fraction of 

the costs of the comparable roller bearings. Added advantages are that they do not require any 

maintenance, allowable loads are much higher and they can be used both dry and in (sea)water 

without any provisions. For new installation the dimensions of this kind of D-glide bearings can be 

much smaller than the comparable roller bearings. 



- low cost 

- smaller dimensions possible 

- short delivery times (any bearing can be produced within weeks) 

- can be used dry and in water 

- less corrosion problems 

Files 

Offshore, Deck fairlead, 1.jpg: Picture of the 3.25"wire fairlead, D-glide bushings replace the roller 

bearings in the sheave and D-glide strips mounted in a steel housing 

replace the Timken bearings of the barrel. 

Offshore, Deck fairlead, 3.jpg: Rear view of the fairlead. 

Offshore, Deck fairlead, 5.jpg: Detail of the sheave bearings during installation. 

Offshore, Deck fairlead, 6.jpg: Detail of the installed barrel bearings. 

Offshore, Deck fairlead, 7.jpg: Installation of the barrel. 





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OFFSHORE, PIPE-LAY VESSEL, STINGER ROLLERS 

Application 

The stinger rollers of the Solitaire, one of the world’s largest pipe-lay vessels were originally fitted 

with grease lubricated roller bearings. However from day 1 there were problems, seals failed, bearings 

broke, grease leaked and so on. After a year in service it was decided that a new bearing design 

was needed for the rollers of this US$ 400.000,00 a day vessel. Allseas invited a large number 

of bearing manufacturers to present a proposal. DRIE-D’s design was chosen and a number of 

bearing materials were assessed on the Lorelay. D-glide by far showed the least wear of all alternatives 

considered (other composites and self-lube metal bearings like Oilless) and the lowest friction. 


- fully maintenance free 

- incorporated seals to prevent dirt from intruding the bearings 

- very long bearing life 

- no corrosion problems (D-glide is no metal and an electrical insulator) 

- low cost 


Files 

Offshore, Pipe lay vessel, 1.jpg: Picture of the 90 metre long stinger of this giant, state of the art, 

fully Dynamic Positioned, pipe-lay vessel. 

Offshore, Pipe lay vessel, 2.jpg: ditto. 

Offshore, Pipe lay vessel, 3.jpg ditto. 





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OFFSHORE, PIPE-LAY VESSEL, ROLLER BOX SUSPENSION 

Application 

Each 4 sets of 2 stinger rollers is suspended in a frame, the roller box. The roller boxes originally 

were suspended in spherical bearings made of a ‘self-lube pocket bronze’ sphere in a stainless 

steel housing. During maintenance it was found that after a year these bearings were virtually destroyed 

by electrolytical processes (bronze with graphite and stainless steel in a huge steel construction 

in sea water ......) and wear. 

Allowable loads on D-glide are very high (>300 MPA) but the stiffness is relatively low and all deformation 

is elastic. Since misalignment angles were limited, D-glide bushings with the same dimensions 

and geometry as the Sphericals could easily perform the function of the Sphericals. This 

solution was proposed on Friday, 17:30, the following Wednesday the bearings were on board the 

ship! 


- no moving parts 

- virtually ‘undestroyable’ 



- very low cost 


Files 

Offshore, Pipe lay vessel, 4.jpg: 

Various D-glide F parts, 3.jpg: 

Picture of the stinger with the roller boxes. 

Picture of the ‘D-glide Non-Sphericals’ replacing the spherical 

bearings. 





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OFFSHORE, PIPE-LAY VESSEL, STINGER JOINTS 

Application 

The different sections of the stinger construction are joint by steel shafts in bronze bushings, 

locked by keeper plates bolted to the shaft and the construction. Although this should be a static 

application it appeared that the shafts tended to rotate. Bolts on a number of keeper plates had 

sheared off and one shaft had worked itself sideways by almost 50 mm. Static friction between 

shafts and bronze bushings appeared to be so high that forces and torques caused by the micro 

motions were far higher than anticipated. 

When this was discovered the concerning bronze bushings were replaced by D-glide FS bushings 

(D-glide FS is a high load, high stiffness variety of D-glide F). Average bearings pressures in this 

application can go up to as much as 180 MPA. 


- low torques because of low friction 



Files 

Offshore, Pipe lay vessel, 5.jpg: Picture of the joints with the keeper plates visible. 





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OFFSHORE, MOORING SYSTEM 

Application 

A moored ship, like an FSO, is almost constantly in motion. This means that fatigue must be taken 

seriously, especially in all parts connecting the ship with the ocean-floor. Most motions take place 

in the connection of ship and anchor chain and reduction in torque there directly reduces the demands 

on steel parts. To reduce friction now D-glide bushings are used in the first uni-joint instead 

of self-lube bronze bearings or steel-on-steel. With D-glide bearings shaft diameters can be reduced. 

In spite of the almost continuous motions, the always present loads and the reduced dimensions, 

expected bearing life is still more than 20 years. 


- low torques 


- large reduction in component weight 

- large cost reduction 

- no corrosion problem 

Files 

Offshore, Mooring System, 1.jpg: 

Picture of a uni-joint with D-glide bushings and distance washers. 





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OFFSHORE, J-LAY TOWER 

Application 

One of the challenges of a J-lay installation is to keep the pipe were it should be. The tensioners 

used for this should be designed as compact as possible to keep the dimensions of the total installation 

under control. This of course means that stresses in the various components are taken to the 

limit and that the result is a relatively flexible construction. By using D-glide bushings in all joints 

and hinges peak stresses remain relatively low because of the low stiffness of the material. The 

bearings easily take up the misalignments caused by the flexibility. 


- compact, ‘efficient’ design 

- relatively low stresses in the ‘joint-area’ 

- small misalignments allowed 


- no corrosion problem 

Files 

Offshore, J-lay tower S7000.jpg: 

One of the largest J-lay installations in the world with D-glide 

bearings in the tensioners. 





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OFFSHORE, FLOATING SHEARLEG 

Application 

On this large floating shearleg the customer changed to direct load measurement by means of load 

cells in the pins of the main blocks. Those are difficult to combine with lubrication therefore DRIE-D 

was invited to supply maintenance free D-glide bearings for this high load (average bearing pressures 

over 120 MPa) application. After removal of the support brackets it was found that the 

bronze layer in there had also worn out. In less than a week DRIE-D made bearing segments with 

exactly the correct thickness and glued them in the brackets so that now also the brackets no 

longer require lubrication. Any other option would have taken much more time and would have 

been far more expensive. 

Advantages of the D-glide solutions 


- modest demands on the shaft materials 

- short delivery time 

- low costs 

Files 

Offshore, Floating Sheerleg, 1.jpg: 




D-glide FS bushings installed in the main blocks. 

D-glide segments glued in the brackets. 

View of the top of the A-frame, D-glide FS bushings visible in 

the eyes of the main blocks. 

Side view of the vessel. 





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OFFSHORE, VERTICAL FAIRLEAD 

Application 

Most column mounted fairleads are of a similar design. A bracket suspended by a top and bottom 

bearing in which a vertical sheave is mounted. The most commonly used bearings are ‘self-lube’ 

bronze bearings but this is not an ideal solution. The bearings have a limited life, they are not easily 

available and even with cathodic protection corrosion is always a problem (usually the bore of 

the sheaves need to be machined out by on average 20 - 40 mm on diameter before sufficient 

‘flesh’ is created to install new bearings). When the solid lubrication is used up they become quite - 

aggressive for the shafts. 

D-glide bearings have proven to be an excellent choice for this application. Because of the nature 

of the material (no metal, electrical insulator) and the advised installation method corrosion of 

sheave bores is no longer a problem. Wear rates are much lower (10 times is possible), friction is 

lower and they are much friendlier for the shafts. In general it is possible to produce a complete set 

of D-glide bearings for a drill rig within 10 days. 


- no corrosion problems 

- long bearing life 

- low cost 


Files 

Offshore, fairleads, 08.jpg: 





Drill rig with D-glide bearing in the fairlead sheaves and swivels. 

Column of the drill rig with D-glide bearing in the fairleads 

Picture of the D-glide bearings installed in the sheaves. 

Worn out (4 year old) self lube bronze bushings. 

Fairlead with D-glide F bearings returned to barge. 





telephone: (+31) 10 - 462 07 00 

telefax: (+31) 10 - 462 07 07 



PUMP BEARINGS 

Application 

Large cooling water pumps often have wet bearings. The shafts normally revolve on a water film 

Hydro-dynamic) but at the start and shut down of the pump the friction and wear of the bearing 

material are very important for reliable operation. When the water can contain small particles the 

resistance against abrasive wear of the bearings becomes important. The originally fitted bearings 

on these pumps lasted a half year, the D-glide bearings replacing them are in there now for more 

than 3 years without problems. 


- low wear rates 

- low start-up and shut-down friction 

- good resistance against abrasive wear 

Files 

Pumps, 1.jpg: 

Pumps, 2.jpg: 

Pumps, 3.jpg 

Main cooling water pump of a power plant. 

Old, worn out bearings (1/2 year) of the pump 

Detail of the installed D-glide bearing 





telephone: (+31) 10 - 462 07 00 

telefax: (+31) 10 - 462 07 07 



WINDMILL 

Application 

The gondolas of a series of large (1 MW) windmills were revolving on bronze segments, bolted to 

the tower. To keep them in a good condition a continuous grease supply was installed but in spite 

of this the life was short. The grease appeared not to reach the contact areas where it was needed 

most and the bronze segments appeared to ‘hammer out’. To solve this problem the segments 

were replaced by D-glide segments according to the same design. Grease is no longer needed for 

a smooth operation and because all deformation is elastic the segments do not ‘hammer out’. 

Grease is still applied to prevent corrosion of the surrounding steel parts but the volume has been 

reduced to 5 percent of the original volume. 


- long bearing life 

- significant reduction of grease usage 

- smooth operation (no stick-slip) 

Files 

Windmills, 1.jpg: 

Several sets of segments (radius ±2800 mm) for the gondola support.

D R I E – D Lagertechniek bv DATA SHEETS

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