HPMB bearings are suitable for use in water turbines, gates and other hydropower needs.
Hydropower is a critical source of renewable energy, which is why turbines and other important pieces of equipment cannot experience unscheduled downtime. With that in mind, GGB created the HPMB bearing, featuring dimensional stability, high load capacity and corrosion resistant materials.
To ensure that this bearing was at the top of its class, GGB sent it to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for testing. Subjected to rigorous evaluation, it demonstrated smooth operation and end-of-stroke reversal with low stick-slip and showed no visible damage in wet, dry or edge load testing. After numerous trials and meticulous testing, it was approved for use in water turbines.
HPMB plain bearings offer a range of benefits for hydropower applications:
Suitable for oil-to-water conversions that prevent operational or accidental release of oil or grease into waterways.
HPMB is rated at 140 MPa dynamic and 210 MPa static load bearing capacity and offers resistance to shock and misalignment associated with turbine’s operation.
The material, consisting of an inner liner of PTFE and self-lubricating fibers and epoxy resin overlaid with fiberglass backing, exhibits excellent dimensional stability in water.
GGB’s HPMB features a fully machinable liner, enabling an IT7 precise fit, unattainable by most other technologies.
Its maintenance-free performance lowers total ownership cost because its excellent frictional performance eliminates the need for traditional lubrication.
HPMB® offers unmatched performance under dithering (small angle high frequency oscillatory motion) operating conditions, virtually eliminating fretting corrosion on shafts.
