Thordon Introduces New Grease-Free Bearing for Wicket Gate and Operating Linkage Applications

For Immediate Release - January 5, 2006

Thordon Bearings Inc., a world leader in grease and oil-free bearing solutions has announced the introduction of ThorPlas®, a new proprietary engineered (non-elastomer) thermoplastic bearing.

ThorPlas® Kaplan turbine propeller hub bushings (blue)

ThorPlas® has been formulated to complement the existing range of Thordon elastomer bearing grades and significantly expands the range of applications where Thordon bearings can be specified, while still maintaining many of the recognized Thordon performance benefits. In Powertech Tests, ThorPlas® demonstrated exceptional wear performance, particularly in the dry tests.

ThorPlas® offers the following advantages:

• Excellent wear performance in reasonably clean application environments
• Self lubricating with built in lubricants
• Increased strength and rigidity allowing working pressures in an interference fit bearing up to 31MPa (4500 psi) in oscillating motion
• Low friction and no stick slip
• Machines easily, and dust-free, to suit required mensions
• Installation is quick and easy using freeze fit techniques

As part of Thordon's StageGate New Product Development program, Thordon has been test marketing ThorPlas® since 2003 and has many installations in operation and working successfully. Typical hydro-turbine applications for ThorPlas® include wicket gate bearings, operating mechanism bearings, linkage bearings, lock and dam gate roller wheels, Kaplan turbine propeller blade bearings and other high pressure applications such as servo-motor and servo-linkage bearings.

ThorPlas® Kaplan turbine propeller hub bushings (blue)