Bearings
Michigan Wheel’s Aqualube bearings offer a high quality solution for water lubricated shaft applications. Aqualube bearings are designed with longitudinal grooves that form a hydrodynamic wedge, or water film, between the shaft and the bearing, even during slow speed operation. This water film is capable of absorbing shock, and reducing vibration and noise.
Aqualube bearings are built from chemical and oil resistant nitrile rubber, and are available with brass and non-metallic (Phenolic) shells to fit many applications. Every bearing is inspected to ensure quality. Michigan Wheel stocks a large inventory of common sizes, and special sizes are available upon request.
The Aqualube range of rubber sleeved bearings are designed for marine and industrial applications. The Bearings feature a specially formulated nitrile rubber which offers outstanding resistance to abrasion and wear.
Michigan Wheel USA’s comprehensive range of standard brass shell bearings, with tolerances suited for American shaft and strut standards, will be stocked in shaft diameter sizes 1” through 10”.
We can also quote, upon request, an expanded range of bearings including:
• Sizes for shafting up to 10” in diameter.
• Metric sizes from 20mm through 260mm.
• Flanged, non-metallic (phenolic) shelled, and spiral fluted bearings.
Rubber and water make the perfect combination for a bearing material and a lubricant. The natural resilience of rubber gives the bearing its shock, vibration and noise absorption properties.
The unique shape of the Aqualube bearing strips allow a hydrodynamic water wedge to form between shaft and bearing, even at low shaft speeds. Water is the perfect lubrication medium, particularly for marine craft. When the water enters the bearing through the longitudinal grooves it moves radially between the propeller shaft and the bearing face in a thin film. Once this film, or wedge, has developed, the shaft will not come into contact with the bearing.
Aqualube bearings are molded from a specially compounded oil and chemical resistant nitrile rubber. The nitrile rubber demonstrates an excellent resistance to wear and abrasion and is also tough and durable. Bonding techniques developed by Michigan Wheel ensure that the strength of the bond to the shell is at least equal
to the strength of the rubber itself.
The finished product has a smooth, shiny surface to the rubber lining which, when compared with similar products on the market, provides visual testament to the quality of the bearing. Aqualube bearing shells are manufactured from either centrifugally cast superior marine bronze or non-metallic (phenolic) material. Aqualube bearings can be supplied with integral cast flanges.
The unique shape of the Aqualube bearing gives it an excellent resistance to abrasion. This helps to reduce wear on the bearing surfaces in environments where sand and other abrasive particles are held in suspension, as found in shallow water. The bearing is designed to let these abrasive particles pass over its surface and into the grooves where it is flushed out by the water feed pressure. This system prevents the particles from getting embedded into the bearing surface and causing severe wear on the propeller shaft.
The minimum to maximum operating speed of an Aqualube bearing is in the range of 100 – 6,900 feet per minute (0.5 – 35 meters per second). For applications outside these parameters the Michigan Wheel technical department should be consulted as special provision for lubrication may be required.
All types of water lubricated rubber bearings will eventually experience wear in service, even bearings operating in clean water. It is recommended that bearings should be inspected for wear whenever the vessel is hauled for storage or service. In cases where the bearing is operating in shallow water an annual inspection is recommended. Bearings fitted to struts and completely immersed pump bearings have adequate lubrication. However, where bearings are installed in a position where the water flow is marginal, they should be lubricated by a forced water flow system. This also applies to bearings which have to cope with low shaft speed and high loads.
Aqualube water lubricated bearings have a Shore hardness of 70±3 and are suitable for operation in a temperature range of -13°F to 185°F (-25°C to 85° C). For temperatures above 86°F (30°C) bearing to shaft clearances may need to be adjusted. The load which can be carried by an Aqualube bearing is dependent upon the quality of the lubricating water, shaft tolerance and deflection of the shaft. A normal working load of 36 psi (2.5kgs/cm2) is acceptable.
Prior to shipping each bearing is subject to a 100% inspection procedure. Bearings are thoroughly inspected for dimensional accuracy, rubber hardness and integrity of bond between rubber and shell.
Aqualube bearings are consistently built from the highest quality materials. They offer a high resistence to abrasion and long life. When it is time to change your Aqualube bearing, Michigan Wheel offers a large variety of sizes in stock to reduce down time.
• Consistent high quality
• High resistance to abrasion
• High grade materials
• Hydrodynamic wedge formation
• Engineering excellence
• Large warehouse inventory
• 100% inspection procedure
All Aqualube bearings are engineered to be compatible with metric or imperial shaft tolerances. 100% of the bearings produced are inspected for quality and must meet Michigan’s strict quality standards before they are released to our customers. Phenolic shells are less reactive and can help reduce chances of corrosion in some applications such as aluminum hulls.
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