Differences Between Water Lubricated Bearings
and Oil Lubricated Bearings
From Oil Lubricated Bearings to Water Lubricated Bearings
Currently, environmental contamination and global warming are major issues that humanity is confronting. Many countries already share the understanding that this is a matter that must be dealt with urgently. As part of our contribution to society, which is our fundamental principle, our company provides the world with products that take on these issues.
In the field of stern tube bearings for ship propulsion systems, oil lubricated systems have mainly been used for large ships and water lubricated systems have mainly been used for small and medium ships. Because bearings used for oil lubricated systems use mineral oils as their lubricants, they still pose a risk of contaminating the ocean through oil leaks, despite the fact that performance of oil lubrication seals has improved drastically in recent year. As a result of revisions based on the current circumstances, some shipowners and shipbuilding yards have been evaluating water lubricated systems that are environmentally friendly as they reconsider their actions based on recent circumstances.
Reasons that Mikasa’s Water Lubricated Bearings Are Favored
All of our company’s bearings are water lubricated, and we believe that they are products that contribute to society from the perspective of the aforementioned issue of environmental contamination, as we provide MR-Bearing and FF-Bearing, which are improved MR-Bearing.
Because the newly developed FF-Bearing are equipped with the ability to withstand heavy loads as well, they are also suitable for large ships. In addition, they have 4 times as much wear resistance as rubber bearings and provide a significant contribution from the perspective of preserving resources.
Additionally, the FF-Bearing, which utilize the characteristic elasticity of rubber bearings while incorporating polytetrafluoroethylene, which slides well, on its sliding surface, have ⅛ the frictional resistance of standard rubber bearings. By reducing energy loss, they significantly cut fuel consumption and serve as a product that contributes to reduced CO2, which is the main cause of global warming, and serve as a product that can reduce running costs.
