Experimental Research on Insufficient Water Lubrication of Marine Stern Tube Journal Bearing with Elastic Polymer Bush

Abstract

Water-lubricated bearings with polymer bushes are steadily gaining popularity due to their advantages, including environmental friendliness, relatively simple construction and long-term operation. Nevertheless, in practice instances of damage to such bearings occur due to insufficient or absent flow of the lubricating agent. In this study, experimental tests established that elastic polymer bush bearing is capable of operating without excessive wear for a period of at least 60 minutes under conditions of marginal water flow and typical loads for stern tube journal bearings of small ships.