Advanced Materials

Extend Operating Limits

For more than 30 years, Waukesha Bearings has led the design and development of ceramic and polymer bearing technology. These advanced materials extend the operating limits of both fixed profile and tilting pad bearings and allow lubrication by process fluids such as water and other low-viscosity fluids.

Our bearing design experience combined with advanced materials expertise provides the foundation for some of our highest performing products.

Polymer and ceramic bearing surfaces

Wide Materials Range

In addition to the traditional range of silicon carbide and polymer-lined thrust and journal bearings, Waukesha Bearings offers TruTech® engineered polymer technology, such as Hiperax® thrust bearings optimized for operation in water-lubricated applications, and tungsten carbide thrust bearings to handle increasingly high temperatures in electric submersible pumps (ESPs).

Waukesha Bearings advanced material options also include super-hard polycrystalline diamond (PCD) surfaces and, for oil-lubricated machines, aluminum tin (AlSn) bearings.

Hidrax HT tilt pad thrust bearing for electric submersible pumps (ESPs) in SAGD wells
Backed by continued investment in research and development via dedicated test rigs, Waukesha’s advanced material bearings are ideal for challenging environments such as ESPs or subsea pumping where equipment reliability and optimized performance are critical.
Tilt pad thrust bearing with aluminum tin (AlSn) lined pads

Aluminum Tin

For oil-lubricated machines, aluminum tin (AlSn) bearings may provide drop-in replacement for babbitt bearings to increase both temperature and load capability within the same envelope.
Solid polymer thrust and polymer-lined journal bearing

TruTech Polymers

TruTech® engineered polymers, available in polymer-lined or solid polymer components, are optimized for bearing performance at a wide range of application conditions such as load, speed, temperature, and lubrication with improved wear performance. Custom formulations are developed, tested and qualified in-house to meet the requirements of each unique application.
Ceramic thrust and journal bearings for water injection pumps

Ceramic / Cermet

Ceramic and ceramic-metallic composites further extend load and temperature capability. Given their superior strength and hardness, these materials are frequently used in process lubrication where films are very thin and/or contamination of the lubricant is possible.

Advantages

  • High temperature capability – polymers up to 250°C (480°F), ceramics up to 400°C (750°F)
  • Operation with thinner hydrodynamic films
  • Lubrication by a wide range of process fluids such as water, toluene, refrigerant and liquid oxygen
  • High abrasion resistant silicon carbide for protection against sand
  • Corrosion resistance to process fluids including H2S
  • Electrically insulating to protect against damaging currents
Large polymer-lined tilt pad thrust bearing

Typical Applications

Oil Lubrication

Water or Process Lubrication