Properties comparison of rubber and three layer PTFE-NBR-bronze water lubricated bearings with lubricating grooves along entire bush circumference based on experimental tests

Water lubricated bearings have been in industrial use for well over a century. During the last decade their traditional range has been expanded with new, modern products. Despite that fact, certain solutions continue to employ the standard rubber bearing with lubricating grooves located along entire bush circumference. The work presents experimental research conducted on comparable sliding bearings with lubrication grooves along entire bush circumference, assessing them against a different, modern solution. Movement resistance, pressures in bearing interspace and shaft orbits were measured and analyzed. It was proved that classic bush geometry is not appropriate for hydrodynamic lubrication. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.