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Thordon Bearings designs and manufactures a complete range of high performance, non-metallic journal bearing solutions for marine, pump, hydro-turbine, offshore oil and other industrial markets. From water lubricated stern tube and rudder bearings for ships to grease free wicket gate bearings for clean power generation, we provide innovative non polluting bearing solutions that meet or exceed the technical requirements of your application.
Since the first Thordon bearing was developed in 1966, Thordon has continuously improved its high performance polymer technologies and bearing designs to become the world leader in elastomeric bearing technology. Our applications engineering and global technical support teams can support your most unique bearing technical challenges.
Thordon engineered polymer bearing solutions can:
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Provide long bearing wear life
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Eliminate oil or grease
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Operate in dirty, abrasive environments
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Withstand high shock loads and edge loading
With Thordon bearings specified all around the world, an extensive distribution network has been established in over 80 countries. Thordon Technical Services department and factory trained distributors and agents can provide you with assistance, product and installation support.
A Thomson-Gordon Company - Innovating Since 1911
News
Converting an Oil-Lubricated Bearing to Water for Environmental Gains
With environmental policies and legislations at every level of government becoming more stringent, the potential environmental and financial costs of an oil leak are causing many energy producers to consider water lubrication of bearings over conventional oil systems. Converting a lower turbine guide bearing from an oil-lubricated system to a water-lubricated system potentially provides the same operational reliability of an oil-lubricated system without any risk of accidental or operational oil discharge to the environment. To read the full article in Hydro Review Worldwide click here.
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Zero Oil Means Zero Environmental Impact
(The Naval Architect, May 2012) Seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings use no oil-based lubricants and can bring 0-EI (zero environmental impact) below the waterline, writes Craig Carter, Director of Marketing at Thordon Bearings, following the company's presentation to the IMO's DE56 meeting in February.
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Press Releases
Iconic Bluenose II Fitted With Pollution-Free Bearings
Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador, the Bluenose II, relaunched September 29, 2012 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia fitted with pollution-free water lubricated stern tube and rudder bearings. The rebuild of the iconic vessel meant all new installation of many aspects including stern tube and rudder applications. Specifically requesting water lubricated bearings, the Bluenose II now has a pollution-free stern tube and rudder bearing system.
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Nine CSL New Builds Eliminate Oil Usage With Seawater Lubcricated Propeller Shaft Bearings
Following the successful retrofit and operation of Thordon water lubricated propeller shaft bearings on the CSL Acadian (converted in 2006), CSL will install a similar package on all nine of its Trillium Class new buildings.
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Blog Posts
New Class Rules for Water Lubricated Propeller Shaft Bearings
Lloyd’s Register has introduced NEW Classification rules (SCM notation) effective January 2013 regarding water lubricated propeller shaft bearings. If certain monitoring requirements are met, LR will give the ship owner the SCM (Screwshaft Condition Monitoring) notation allowing no shaft withdrawal for 18 years. This puts the use of water lubricated propeller shaft bearings for commercial ships in the same envelope as oil lubricated propeller shaft lines. It alsoremoves a major obstacle that ship ownershadwith water-based propeller shaft bearing systems. Good news for ship owners and the marine environment.
Craig Carter, Canada
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Ship Owners Preparing for the Future
Ship owners who are thinking about building ships for the future need to consider a bunch of operational issues. If trading global, you need to be aware of the different marine legislation – both current and future - especially in North America, Europe and Polar Regions. Concerns relating to the prevention and reduction of pollution from ships are continuing to grow within the European Union, the international maritime community and among the general public, and they will likely continue to do so in the future.
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