Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings

ISO 9001:2015 Certified Manufacturer | Custom Engineering & Retrofit Solutions for High-Speed, Heavy-Duty Turbomachinery

ZB Bearings designs and manufactures high-performance Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings for turbines, compressors, pumps, and other high-speed rotating equipment.

As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and a recognized Zhejiang High-Tech and Technology-based SME, we deliver standard and customized fluid-film bearing solutions that guarantee stable axial load support under extreme operating conditions.

Pad Thrust Bearing
Pad Thrust Bearing is a type of sliding bearing used in large rotating equipment. It withstands axial loads and reduces friction, wear, and vibration by forming a stable oil film between the...
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Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing
Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings are fluid sliding bearings used in large rotating equipment. They utilize a stable oil film formed between the tilting pads and the thrust disc to withstand axial...
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Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing Assembly
The Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing Assembly is a fluid sliding bearing assembly used in large rotating equipment, primarily in steam turbines, compressors, generators, and other similar devices.
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Pedestal Pad Thrust Bearing
Pedestal Pad Thrust Bearing is a fluid film bearing designed to support axial loads generated by rotating shafts and maintain precise rotor positioning through optimized pad design and oil...
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Standard Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing Dimensions & Specifications

Note: The table below shows our standard catalog sizes. As a custom manufacturer, ZB Bearings can engineer and produce custom dimensions up to 1000+ mm based on your specific drawings and operating parameters.

Bearing 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	162	52.3	16.8	11850
8 inch	203.2	109.5	25.4	212.7	68.3	23.9	21068
9 inch	228.1	124	28.6	238.1	76.2	23.9	26664
10.5 inch	266.7	144.5	31.8	279.4	85.9	28.5	36293
12 inch	304.8	165.1	35	317.5	95.3	30.2	47403

Engineering Advantages of ZB Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings

Self-Equalizing Design

Automatically compensates for housing misalignment or shaft deflection, ensuring uniform load distribution.

Hydrodynamic Efficiency

Minimizes friction and power loss, significantly lowering vibration and noise levels.

Directed Lubrication

Reduces oil flow requirements by up to 50% and lowers operating temperatures by up to 15°C in high-speed operations (>100 m/s).

Rotordynamic Safety

All retrofits undergo rigid stiffness and damping calculations to eliminate critical speed vibration risks.

Explore Our Hydrodynamic Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing Configurations

Series / Type	Core Design	Target Applications	Capabilities
ZBT-EQ (Self-Equalizing)	Leveling links balance loads automatically	Gas/Steam Turbines, centrifugal compressors, heavy gearboxes	Shaft size: 20 mm – 1000+ mm; Proven on 50MW+ turbomachinery
ZBT-NE (Non-Equalizing)	Compact, pads sit directly on solid base ring	Centrifugal & submersible pumps, turbo-expanders	Space-saving design; High power density
Custom & Retrofit (Drop-in Replacement)	1:1 replacement for major global brands	Legacy upgrades, obsolete parts, urgent plant maintenance	Tailored to existing housing dimensions with optimized materials

Cross-Reference Guide

ZB Bearings Series	Kingsbury Equivalent	Waukesha Equivalent
ZBT-EQ (Self-Equalizing)	Leg-Shoes / Catalog J Type	JH Series
ZBT-NE (Non-Equalizing)	KB / KP Series	Ball-and-Socket Type

Disclaimer: All OEM names, part numbers, and descriptions are used for reference purposes only. ZB Bearings is an independent manufacturer of high-quality replacement parts.

Technical Edge: Advanced Material Selection Matrix

To match your specific operating environment, we provide precise polymer and alloy matrix linings:

Carbon Steel / Copper-Chromium + Babbitt (White Metal): Standard industry choice for high-speed turbomachinery (operating temperatures up to 130°C). Copper-Chromium backing offers superior thermal conductivity for hot pads.

Engineered Polymers (PEEK / PTFE Matrix): Ideal for boundary lubrication, frequent start-stops, process-fluid lubrication, or corrosive environments (operating temperatures up to 200°C+).

Instrumentation & Smart Monitoring Integration

For critical rotating machinery, early warning is vital. ZB Bearings provides pre-machined pads and housings fully integrated with monitoring instruments:

Temperature Sensors

Duplex RTDs (Pt100) or Thermocouples (Type J/K) embedded near the trailing edge of the pad (75%/75% location) strictly according to API 670 standards.

Proximity Probes

Machined provisions for shaft displacement and axial position monitoring probes.

Insulated Designs

Optional ceramic coatings or insulated backing components to prevent destructive shaft currents (EDM pitting).

Advanced Hydrodynamic Simulation & Engineering Support

We don't just manufacture; we validate. ZB Bearings utilizes proprietary fluid-film lubrication analysis software to simulate oil film thickness, power loss, and temperature distribution before production.

Rotordynamic Verification: Ensuring fluid-film stiffness and damping coefficients meet critical speed margins.

FEA (Finite Element Analysis): Structural integrity validation under maximum transient thrust loads.

Industries & Applications Serviced

Power Generation

Steam & Gas Turbines, Hydro-generators.

Oil & Gas

Centrifugal Compressors, Turbo-expanders, High-pressure Pumps.

Marine & Propulsion

Marine Thrusters, Propeller Shaft Line Bearings.

Chemical Process

Submersible Pumps, Agitators.

Our Custom & Collaboration Process

We streamline industrial procurement through rigorous technical validation to ensure a perfect fit:

Application Data Collection:

You send us your operational parameters (speed, load, oil type, and space constraints).

Engineering Simulation

Our technical team performs advanced hydrodynamic calculations.

Drawing Approval

We provide detailed 2D/3D CAD drawings for your final engineering sign-off.

Lean Production

Manufacturing follows strict ISO 9001:2015 quality milestones and lean lead times.

Quality Assurance & NDT Testing

At ZB Bearings, reliability is verified through rigorous non-destructive testing (NDT) to minimize operational risks:

Ultrasonic Testing (UT): 100% inspection to ensure flawless bonding clearance between the Babbitt layer and base metal.

Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT): Applied to detect any micro-cracks or surface imperfections.

Precision Metrology: CMM dimensional inspection ensuring micron-level tolerances.

Export-Grade Packaging & Rust Preservation

Precision tolerances demand uncompromising protection. All ZB fluid-film bearings undergo a multi-layer preservation process before dispatch:

01/

Ultrasonic Cleaning: Removal of all machining residues and contaminants.

02/

VCI Anti-Rust Coating: Application of premium, easily-washable volatile corrosion inhibitor oil.

03/

Vacuum Sealing: Moisture-proof, heavy-duty vacuum foil sealing.

04/

Seaworthy Packaging: ISPM-15 certified heat-treated wooden boxes with shock-absorbing foam inserts for global air/sea freight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can your bearings replace brands like Kingsbury, Waukesha, or Michell?

A: Yes. We specialize in retrofit engineering. We can manufacture a 1:1 direct drop-in replacement that matches or exceeds the original OEM specs, offering shorter lead times and high cost-effectiveness.

Q: What are the advantages of directed lubrication over flooded lubrication?

A: Directed lubrication injects fresh oil onto the leading edge of each pad and evacuates hot oil immediately. This eliminates oil churning losses, reduces oil consumption by up to 50%, and lowers bearing temperatures.

Q: How do you ensure the bonding quality of the Babbitt layer?

A: We perform specialized Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to check for micro-voids between the white metal and the backing material. Only pads achieving 100% bonding clearance pass final inspection.

Q: What data do you need for a custom quote and design calculation?

A: We require: Maximum/nominal axial thrust load, operating/maximum shaft speed, lubricant type (viscosity grade), oil inlet temperature, and physical space constraints.

Q: Can you supply individual components, like pads only?

A: Yes. We supply complete assemblies or individual replacement parts (pads, leveling links, base rings) machined to your exact dimensions.

Q: Do you support reverse engineering from damaged or worn samples?

A: Yes. Send us your worn bearing; our team will laser-scan, analyze the metallurgy, and recreate a 1:1 precise drop-in replacement.

Q: What is the warranty period for your fluid-film bearings?

A: We provide a standard 18-month warranty from shipment or 12 months from installation, whichever comes first.

We are one of the most professional tilting pad thrust bearings manufacturers and suppliers in China. With abundant experience, we warmly welcome you to buy customized tilting pad thrust bearings at competitive price from our factory. If you have any enquiry about free sample, please feel free to email us.