Fluid Film Thrust Bearings
Fluid Film Thrust Bearing Manufacturer for Industrial Turbomachinery
Since 2007, Zhengbang has manufactured fluid film thrust bearings and Babbitt-lined bearing solutions for industrial rotating equipment. We support OEM and MRO requirements with custom manufacturing, reverse engineering, and replacement bearings based on existing drawings, part numbers, or equipment specifications.
Our capabilities include tilting pad thrust bearings, fixed-geometry thrust bearings, and combined radial and thrust bearing assemblies. Material selection, bearing geometry, and dimensions are determined according to the design and operating requirements.
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Materials & Manufacturing Process
Available lining materials include ASTM B23 Grade 2 tin-based Babbitt, Grade 3, and customized lead-based alloys for applicable requirements. Selection depends on load, speed, temperature, and the specified material standard.
Carbon steel, including AISI 1015 and AISI 1045: Used as the structural backing for Babbitt-lined bearings.
Cr-Mo steel: Available for applications requiring specific strength and stress resistance.
CuCrZr copper alloy: Provides higher thermal conductivity than steel backing and can be considered where heat transfer is a key design requirement.
Centrifugal casting is used for applicable Babbitt-lined bearing designs. Process control focuses on lining uniformity, porosity, and bonding between the lining and backing material.
CNC turning and precision machining control bearing diameters, mounting interfaces, and drawing-defined dimensions. Inspection requirements are established according to the approved drawing and order specifications.
Technical Specifications
Standard Dimensions
The following dimensions are listed as reference sizes. Custom metric and imperial drawings can also be considered.
|
Nominal Size |
Bearing OD (mm) |
Bearing ID (mm) |
Pad Thickness (mm) |
Housing OD (mm) |
Bearing Height (mm) |
Key Length (mm) |
Bearing Area (mm²) |
|
6-inch |
152.4 |
82.6 |
19.0 |
162.0 |
52.3 |
16.8 |
11,850 |
|
8-inch |
203.2 |
109.5 |
25.4 |
212.7 |
68.3 |
23.9 |
21,068 |
|
9-inch |
228.1 |
124.0 |
28.6 |
238.1 |
76.2 |
23.9 |
26,664 |
|
10.5-inch |
266.7 |
144.5 |
31.8 |
279.4 |
85.9 |
28.5 |
36,293 |
|
12-inch |
304.8 |
165.1 |
35.0 |
317.5 |
95.3 |
30.2 |
47,403 |
Operating and Design Parameters
|
Parameter |
Available Options |
|
Bearing configuration |
Tilting pad, fixed geometry, or combined radial and thrust assembly |
|
Pad arrangement |
4, 6, 8, or 11 pads for applicable designs |
|
Working-face profile |
Taper-land, stepped-face, or flat-face |
|
Construction |
Solid or split-ring, where applicable |
|
Backing material |
Carbon steel, Cr-Mo steel, or CuCrZr copper alloy |
|
Babbitt lining |
ASTM B23 Grade 2 tin-based alloy, Grade 3, or specified lead-based alloy |
|
Lubrication |
Oil supply and circulation arrangement |
Product Types
|
Product |
Key Features |
Typical Applications |
|
Fluid Film Thrust Bearing |
Hydrodynamic sliding bearing that supports axial loads through a lubricating oil film between the thrust surfaces. Available in standard and custom dimensions. |
Large rotating equipment, turbines, and industrial machinery. |
|
Taper-land Thrust Bearing |
Fixed-geometry thrust bearing with tapered working surfaces that help establish a converging oil film during rotation. |
Rotating equipment requiring a fixed-profile thrust bearing. |
|
Plain Journal Fluid Film Bearing |
Radial sliding bearing that supports the shaft through a lubricating oil film formed by journal rotation. |
Rotating machinery requiring radial shaft support. |
|
Tin Bronze Thrust Bearing |
Thrust bearing made from tin bronze, with material selection based on load, lubrication, and operating conditions. |
Industrial equipment requiring a bronze thrust-bearing component. |
Selection Guide
To identify a suitable fluid film thrust bearing or replacement unit, provide the following information where available.
|
Information Required |
Details to Provide |
|
Existing bearing |
OEM designation, part number, equipment model, or bearing drawing |
|
Installation dimensions |
Bearing OD, ID, overall height, housing dimensions, and mounting details |
|
Operating loads |
Continuous and peak axial loads; radial loads for combined assemblies |
|
Shaft speed |
Normal and maximum operating speed in RPM |
|
Temperature |
Oil inlet temperature and expected bearing operating temperature |
|
Lubrication |
Oil grade or viscosity, supply pressure, flow rate, and cooling arrangement |
|
Existing damage |
Inspection findings or photos of cracking, wiping, or overheating |
These details help establish the required bearing configuration and identify any missing information before quotation.
OEM Replacement and Cross-Reference
Replacement bearings can be assessed using OEM part numbers, drawings, or existing components. Cross-reference experience includes Kingsbury, Waukesha, Glacier Rotating Plant (GRP), Renk, and Orion bearing profiles. Compatibility is confirmed against the relevant bearing and equipment details.
Custom Manufacturing
Custom bearings can be manufactured from metric or imperial drawings. Orders can specify dimensions, Babbitt alloy, backing material, pad arrangement, and inspection requirements.
Reverse Engineering
When original drawings are unavailable, existing bearings and equipment records can be used to reconstruct the required dimensions. Worn or damaged features are distinguished from the original design before manufacturing.
Bearing Retrofit and Failure Correction
Babbitt Fatigue and Cracking
Examine the lining damage pattern, bonding condition, operating loads, and lubrication history to distinguish material or manufacturing defects from operating-related damage.
Wiping and Overheating
Review oil supply, shaft speed, bearing clearances, load conditions, and heat dissipation. Changes to pad geometry or backing material may be considered when supported by engineering analysis.
Oil-Film Instability
Assess bearing geometry, operating speed, load, clearances, and lubrication conditions. A tilting-pad design may be evaluated as an alternative to fixed geometry for applicable high-speed applications.
Retrofit Assessment
Retrofit proposals identify the suspected failure cause, recommended design changes, and compatibility requirements. Manufacturing proceeds after the proposed modifications and equipment interfaces are reviewed.
Applications
Power Generation
Fluid film thrust bearings are used in steam turbines and hydro-generators, where axial loads, shaft speed, lubrication, and thermal conditions influence bearing selection. The page identifies applications in steam turbines rated at 50 MW and above.
Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Equipment
Centrifugal compressors and process pumps require bearing selection based on axial load, operating speed, oil-film conditions, and thermal management. The page references compressor applications at speeds up to 20,000 RPM; actual suitability depends on the specific bearing design and operating conditions.
Marine Propulsion
Marine propulsion shafts and turbochargers may require thrust-bearing configurations that accommodate axial forces within the available installation space. Combined radial and thrust assemblies can be evaluated where both load directions must be supported.
Industrial Rotating Machinery
Fixed-geometry thrust bearings are options for equipment such as industrial gearboxes, vertical pumps, and electric motors. The selection depends on the thrust load, speed range, lubrication arrangement, and mounting dimensions.
Quality Control
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
UT can be used to examine bonding between Babbitt lining and backing. ASTM E114 is an applicable examination practice; acceptance criteria are specified for the component.
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)
PT checks for surface-breaking defects on suitable materials. Inspection scope depends on the material and specified acceptance requirements.
Dimensional Inspection
CMM and other precision measurement methods verify critical dimensions against approved drawings, including bearing diameters, overall height, and mounting interfaces.
Material Certification
Material certificates can document the chemical composition of lining and backing alloys. Required certificate types and traceability documents should be specified in the purchase order.
Quality Management
Production operates under an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system. Inspection records and documentation are supplied according to the agreed order requirements.
FAQ
We are one of the most professional fluid film thrust bearings manufacturers and suppliers in China. With abundant experience, we warmly welcome you to buy customized fluid film thrust bearings at competitive price from our factory. If you have any enquiry about free sample, please feel free to email us.