ThorPlas for Passenger Ship Applications - Thordon Bearings

T H O R D O N B E A R I N G S I N C.
Grease-Free ThorPlas
Bearings for Passenger
Ship Applications

THORPLAS FOR DECK EQUIPMENT APPLICATIONS
Ensuring the smooth, reliable operation of all
equipment installed above the waterline is a tall order
for a ship's Deck Crew. Operating conditions are tough,
and maintenance requirements of the equipment
onerous, with the onset of bearing seizure usually
imminent should periodic maintenance be delayed or
overlooked. Inadequately greased bronze bushings and
seawater shaft corrosion may cause bushing seizure.
Even sealed, rolling element bearings often fail
prematurely as a result of salt water ingress past their
simple contact seals or from the intermittent impact
loads this equipment is often subjected to.
The cost-effective, maintenance-free solution to solving
many of these problems is ThorPlas, Thordon's new
self-lubricating, thermoplastic bearing material.
Capable of dynamic operating pressures to 31MPa
(4,500 psi), ThorPlas can be easily back-fit into virtually
all applications where greased bronze is currently
installed. When a non-corroding pin or shaft liner is
included as part of the conversion as recommended,
ThorPlas does not require greasing to ensure smooth
operation. The lubricants formulated throughout the
homogenous ThorPlas polymer matrix ensure a low,
stable coefficient of friction, even as the bearing wears.
In applications where movement is infrequent and there
is significant exposure to salt water spray, if space
permits, high performance Thorseal lip seals can be
considered to prevent the ingress of seawater and
possible buildup of salt deposits in the bearing. Wear
rates are very low compared to greased bronze
ensuring long life and dramatically reduced
maintenance costs.
With the elimination of grease, ThorPlas offers
improved safety for the crew not having to grease these
bushings located in hard to reach locations. Greasefree
ThorPlas also means the disappearance of
unsightly grease from passenger view as well as the
potential of grease stains on clothing.
To facilitate maintenance while under way, ThorPlas
can be easily and safely machined using on-board
machining facilities and then installed quickly. In-dock,
ThorPlas is available from local Thordon distributors to
meet the needs of the shipyard.
TYPICAL THORPLAS DECK EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE FREE APPLICATIONS
Fairleads
Due to their exposed
locations, fairlead rollers
often require frequent
maintenance to ensure
they turn freely. The cost
consequences of seized
rollers are high. Friction
loads increase
dramatically resulting in
higher torque loads on
winches and windlasses,
and rapid wear occurs on
not only the seized roller, but on the mooring lines as
well.
Mooring, Towing and Anchor-Handling Windlasses
Depending on the
manufacturer, these
units may have sealed
rolling element
bearings, greased
bronze bushings or
some combination of
both. Replacement of
greased bronze
bushings with ThorPlas
is straightforward and
easy.

TYPICAL THORPLAS DECK EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE FREE APPLICATIONS
Hold Hatch Cover Rollers and Linkages
ThorPlas offers a lowfriction,
grease-free
solution for hatch
cover roller and
linkage bearings.
Water Tight Doors and Hatches
Replace greased
bearings with
ThorPlas at hinge
points to reduce
friction and wear
ensuring smooth
operation with no
maintenance or
grease.
Lifeboat Davits
ThorPlas bearings are
installed at linkage
pivot points, in rollers
and in sheave
bushings.
Capstans
ThorPlas Bearings are
installed to reduce
friction and wear and
ensure maintenance
and grease free
operation.
Cranes, Hoists and Deck Loading Equipment
Deck crane rollers,
linkage pins, sheave
bushings and hoist shafts
and sheaves are all
bushing points where the
installation of ThorPlas
bearings will improve
operation and reduce
operating costs.
Pool Covers and Awnings
ThorPlas bearings are
installed new or can
replace existing greased
bearings for pool covers
and awnings to eliminate
greasing and
maintenance.
Miscellaneous Locations
ThorPlas can be fitted in
a wide variety of
shipboard locations
ranging from gangway
wheels to folding swivel
points where ThorPlas
maintenance free
bearings offering low
friction, self-lubricating,
long lasting, grease free
bearing performance.
THORPLAS AVAILABILITY
Initially, ThorPlas tubes up to 190mm (7.5") outside
diameter are in stock. Larger tubes up to 300mm (12.0”)
outside diameter can be quickly supplied to meet
specific customer requirements.
For product availability and additional application
engineering information, contact your local
Thordon distributor or Thordon Bearings Inc.

THORPLAS ENGINEERED THERMOPLASTIC BEARINGS COMPLEMENT
THORDON ELASTOMER BEARING PRODUCT LINE
While the Thordon elastomer range of bearing products
(COMPAC, XL, SXL, HPSXL and Composite) clearly offer
superior performance in the applications in which they can
be specified, there are technical limits, such as maximum
pressure, beyond which they cannot be used. To address
this issue, Thordon Bearings has developed a new
bearing grade, ThorPlas, that significantly expands the
range of applications where Thordon bearings can be
specified, while still maintaining many of the recognized
Thordon performance advantages.
A proprietary engineered thermoplastic, ThorPlas has
been formulated to complement the existing range of
Thordon elastomer bearing grades, offering:
• increased strength and rigidity - maximum
working pressures to 31MPa (4500 psi) in an
interference fit bearing
• improved ability to operate at elevated
temperatures - maximum continuous service
temperatures of 80°C (175°F) in water and
110°C (230°F) dry
• improved chemical resistance in all major
chemical product categories
Other important ThorPlas properties and
characteristics to consider are the following:
• excellent wear performance in reasonably
clean application environments
• self-lubricating - homogeneous polymer with
lubricants formulated into the molecular structure
to lower friction and wear. Once the bearing
enters service and a transfer film is established
between the shaft and the bearing, friction
stabilizes for the life of the bearing
• low friction - dynamic coefficients of friction of
0.10 to 0.15 (dry) and 0.12 to 0.17 (wet)
• no stick-slip - ratio of static to dynamic
coefficient of friction is very low at +7.5% dry
and +11.5% wet
• dry start-up - operating dry for 3 minutes at a PV
of 15MPa - m/min (7070 psi - ft/min) using a
75mm (3.0”) shaft at 0.35 kg/cm 2 (5 psi) and 1800
rpm; or 1 minute at a PV of 22.4MPa - m/min
(10,500 psi - ft/min) is possible
• low coefficient of thermal expansion -
minimal change in installed bearing dimensions
due to temperature variation variation (50% vs. Nylon
and Derlin AF;