In the early 1980s, the Free State goldfields of South Africa were at the height of their productivity, with deep-level mining operations requiring robust, high-capacity equipment to manage water and ensure continuous ore extraction.
At the time, Ray’s Pumps and Service, a Welkom-based company formed 26 years earlier and employing 50 skilled
In the late 1990s, a large tanker sustained hull and machinery damage after running aground near the entrance to a South American port channel. Following the recovery of the vessel and the removal of remaining cargo, it was taken to a nearby yard for extensive repairs.
As is common in salvage and repair operations of this nature, the ship’s stern tube and rudder assemblies were subject to
Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina - The waters of the Parana River tend to be wide and deep, with significant suspended debris and sand. Due to these abrasive conditions, rudder bearings on tug boats operating on the river are susceptible to rapid wear. The result is frequent dry docking for repairs. In response, Vesconite bushings have been successfully fitted to 20 tug boats working the Parana River. The combination of exceptionally low wear, self-lubrication and easy installation makes it an ideal material for this application.
Vesconite, and Vesconite Hilube in particular, are ideal for the submerged and corrosive conditions of the marine industry. Suited to both dry and underwater applications, Vesconite’s internal lubricants allow for prolonged life where the setting is characterized by irregular greasing schedules, or no greasing at all. Unlike most bearing materials, Vesconite offers long wear life and a high load-bearing capacity with no distortion or delamination, despite the wet and abrasive working environment. Vesconite is easily removed and refitted, saving in costly downtime.
Vesconite Hilube is a thermopolymer, designed for particularly difficult operating environments. Hilube is specifically recommended for moist and underwater applications. These include the pump and marine industry, where regular maintenance is not practically feasible or cost-effective. Displaying superior wear life, especially in poorly lubricated and dirty conditions, Vesconite Hilube has been shown to offer up to ten times the life of bronze bushings.
Vesconite Hilube incorporates an internal lubricant that translates into an exceptionally low friction coefficient. Combined with excellent dimensional stability, low wear rates and a high load-bearing capacity. Hilube has a PV rating (pressure x velocity) four times that of nylon bushings.
Vesconite is available in a wide range of rods, bushings, plates, and machined custom parts.
No Water Swell
Fully saturated, Vesconite Hilube has a negligible moisture absorption rate (0.5%). Its linear swell rate of 0.07% allows for fine clearances in the majority of applications. By way of contrast, nylons absorb moisture by as much as 9% of total mass – resulting in high swell rates and critical loss of clearance, which can lead to seizures.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has an interesting history and has been used in a number of ways over the years. There is, of course, the best-known PTFE brand Teflon® – the miracle cookware coating. But PTFE is also used in aerospace and computer wiring, and it’s even coated the fiberglass dome of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. But the Metrodome isn’t the only sports-related application
An Australian company that supplies a comprehensive selection of mechanical seals as well as engineered sealing solutions to various Australian industries has found that a Vesconite throttle bushing can extend the life of seals.
A typical single-stage pump includes a throttle bushing that is located below the sealing mechanism.
The throttle bushing supports the shaft as well as being a close-clearance bushing and creating a stuffing
A lift service and repair company successfully tested ten thermoplastic guide shoes for their elevator operation, significantly outperforming metal and grease alternatives.
Guide shoes are essential low-friction components in elevators, enabling smooth car movement. They help keep the lift car and counterweight securely aligned on their rails, preventing unwanted swaying during operation.
The company expressed
