For many years, bronze was the conventional material most commonly used for ship rudder bearings. While it offered adequate performance and an acceptable service life, its use came with several additional demands to maintain optimal operation.
A key requirement was the need for grease lubrication to reduce the operating coefficient of friction, minimize wear, and restrict permissible bearing pressure. The reliance on lubrication also mandated the installation of seals-both to block water from entering and to prevent grease from leaking into the sea. These supplementary components increased both the complexity and cost of the rudder bearing system.
Furthermore, many port and harbor authorities now enforce substantial penalties against vessels found discharging pollutants into their waters, adding another layer of regulatory concern to the use of such traditional systems.
As rudder designs evolve, composite bearing materials from Kintowe Marine are increasingly replacing traditional options-delivering superior performance and multiple advantages.
Kintowe's marine rudder bearings operate effectively in seawater without any need for grease lubrication. This eliminates complex lubrication systems and allows seals to serve one primary role: keeping seawater out of the vessel, not containing grease leaks.
The material features built-in solid lubricants, ensuring reliable performance even when the upper bearing runs dry-such as during light ballast conditions.
With higher allowable bearing pressures, Kintowe's solution simplifies rudder design and reduces manufacturing costs. There's no need for expensive lubrication systems, and the risk of environmental pollution is completely removed-helping you avoid fines and support sustainable operations.
