During the more than 25 years Thordon Bearings has been supplying water lubricated bearing systems to the merchant fleet, wide variations of water quality ranging from clean to very abrasive, have been encountered. Rather than promoting the concept that one bearing solution will work in all types of conditions, Thordon has developed four different bearing grades from which the optimal bearing solution for each specific application and vessel operating profile may be selected - see chart.
COMPAC is Thordon's open, water lubricated high performance bearing system and offers proven long life with a 15 Year Wear Life Guarantee, no pollution concerns, elimination of an AFT seal and low friction. To promote early formation of a hydrodynamic film between the shaft and bearing, the lower (loaded) portion of the bearing is smooth, while the upper half of the bearing incorporates grooves for flow of the water lubricant/coolant. Thordon's Water Quality Package ensures a steady supply of relatively abrasive free water to both the forward seal and bearings. Please see the video below of Converting From Oil to Water: How to Install a Water Lubricated COMPAC Stern Tube Bearing - The 12 step process.
Convert From Oil to Water Video
SXL and XL offer low coefficient of friction, reasonable abrasion resistance (SXL slightly better than XL) and good wear life.
Composite water lubricated bearings are designed for high abrasive resistance in work boat and dredge applications. Thordon Composite bearings, operating in combination with hard coated nickel-chrome-boron shaft sleeves, offer a wear life of more than twice that of other non-metallic bearings - and significant savings in maintenance costs.
