Thordon Bearings Inc.

Thordon COMPAC is a high performance water lubricated bearing system primarily for “blue water” operating conditions.

Specially formulated with a low coefficient of friction to reduce startup friction and eliminate stick-slip, COMPAC is designed to promote early formation of a hydrodynamic film at lower shaft speeds.

The lower (loaded) portion of the bearing is smooth, while the upper half has water grooves to lubricate and cool the bearing.

Thordon RiverTough bearings are specially formulated to provide longer wear life in highly abrasive and dirty water conditions, such as river boat propeller shafts and suction cutter head bearings on dredges.

RiverTough has proven to last at least twice as long as rubber bearings in extreme environments.

Thordon SXL offers a lower coefficient of friction for lower break-away torque and smoother operation at lower shaft speed, increased resistance to third particle abrasive wear, and longer wear life compared to XL.

Our traditional propeller shaft bearing grade, Thordon XL is a general purpose bearing offering superior performance compared to many other bearings commonly used in propeller shaft applications.

XL provides long wear life, a low coefficient of friction, reasonable abrasion resistance, and cost effectiveness.

The Thordon TG100 is a mechanical seal for 88mm (3.5”) to 305mm (12”) propeller shafts found in workboats, dredgers, tugs, yachts, patrol craft, and other coastal vessels operating in either clean or dirty, abrasive-laden water.

Manufactured for long wear life and reduced maintenance costs, TG100’s elastomeric bellows accept both axial and radial shaft movement and compensate for alignment issues. Its unique emergency seal allows stand-alone operation to get you back to port safely, without damaging the seal. The wedge “lock” design ensure the rotary face is perfectly square to the shaft.

The Thordon SeaThigor seal is a mechanical face seal for 300mm (11.8”) to 650mm (25.6”) water lubricated propeller shafts found in yachts, cruise ships, merchant ships and naval vessels.

Manufactured for long wear life and reduced maintenance costs, no visible leakage or SiC faces. Thordon elastomers ensure no need for replacement parts, Safe Return To Port Emergency Seal, Outside pressurized design to counter leakage direction and Metal compression springs used to maintain constant face closing forces.

SeaThigor mechanical face seals are manufactured to last and are designed for use in newbuild construction and retrofits.

Thordon SXL rudder bearings offer low friction, operating pressures up to 12 MPa (1,740 psi) and do not require grease or greasing systems removing any risk of pollution. Thordon SXL can also withstand high shock loads and edge loading.

An impressive reference list of demanding, yet satisfied customers is available. Thordon SXL is recognized as the proven choice for value, guaranteed performance, and freedom from pollution concerns.

Thordon guarantees that SXL rudder bearings will meet Classification Society wear specifications for 15 years in all newbuild projects, or twice the life of the replaced non-Thordon bearing to a maximum of 10 years for repairs, or a new bearing will be supplied, free of charge.

In addition to SXL rudder pintle, stock, and carrier disc bearings, SXL TRAXL or ThorPlas-Blue can be specified grease free in steering and linkage applications, as well as fin stabilizers. In workboat applications, ThorPlas-Blue is recommended for the more highly loaded bushings in the tiller arm and "jockey-bar" linkages. Both products operate grease free saving you time, money and the risk of pollution.

ThorPlas-Blue is an engineered thermoplastic, for high pressure applications up to 45 MPa (6,527 psi). It is capable of wet or dry operation and displays very low wear in non-abrasive environments. This lifetime lubricated homogenous polymer never requires grease or oil lubrication.

Ensuring reliable operation of all equipment installed above the waterline is a tough issue for any ship’s crew. Deck machinery and steering gear bearings require frequent maintenance and grease lubrication. If routine maintenance is delayed or greasing is overlooked, it has a high cost consequence for the ship owner—seized bearings can cause expensive rope replacement, safety issues as a result of manual greasing, and vibration causing damage to the piston and cylinders.

ThorPlas-Blue is a maintenance-free solution, eliminating a source of pollution. The proprietary engineered thermoplastic bearing is capable of pressures up to 45MPa (6,527 psi); higher pressures may be possible with Thordon Engineering review. ThorPlas-Blue can easily be back fit into virtually all applications where greased bronze is currently installed. A stainless steel or non-corrosive mating surface should be used.

• Fairleads
• Lifeboat davits and sheave bearings.
• Tiller arm and jockey bar bearings
• Hydraulic steering gear self-aligning bearings
• Pivot point bushings on embarkation and loading platforms
• Cranes, hoists, and deck loading equipment
• Winches
• Watertight doors and hatches

Thordon Bearings designs and manufactures the most complete line of oil and grease-free vertical pump bearings in the industry. Thordon elastomer grades offer the best combination of strength and stiffness with flexibility and elasticity, along with high abrasion resistance. Thordon thermoplastic grades operate at higher temperatures and pressures than Thordon elastomers with improved chemical resistance.

ThorPlas-Blue is an engineered thermoplastic, capable of dry start-up and design pressures up to 45Mpa (6,527 psi). It operates in water and chemicals, up to 80°C (230°F). In dry conditions, it operates up to 100°C (230°F). In non-abrasive environments, ThorPlas-Blue has very low wear rates.

ThorPlas-White is NSF/ANSI 61 and WRAS approved for drinking water applications, as well as NSF/ANSI 51 certification for food equipment applications. It has a low coefficient of friction, low wear, and excellent dry-run capability due to built-in lubricants. It is easy to install and to machine—no nuisance dust produced as a result.

The preferred choice for dry start-up capability, Thordon SXL offers a lower dry coefficient of friction of 0.10-0.20. It also capable of workings pressures up to 12MPa (1,740 psi). SXL is highly resistant to abrasion, shock loading and vibration, and can operate in wet or dry conditions.

This elastomeric polymer bearing has excellent mechanical property (in water) at higher temperatures of up to 80°C (176°F). Its internal lubricants provide dry run capabilities similar to Thordon SXL, and its wear characteristics are similar to existing Thordon elastomer grades. PT80 has high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction.

Thordon Composite is made specifically for use in very abrasive water environments. Compared to rubber, Composite is stiffer, has at least twice the abrasion resistance, and has a lower coefficient of friction. Composite is easy to install, water lubricated (no grease), and reduces maintenance downtime.

Thordon HPSXL has a higher resistance to shock and loading vibration. Among all of Thordon’s bearings, it has the lowest dry coefficient of friction and is moderately resistance to abrasives. It is capable of working pressure up to 15MPa (2,175 psi).

Thordon SXL and Thordon HPSXL can be housed in a metallic carrier called TRAXL to reinforce strength for high pressure applications. TRAXL uses about 2mm (¹/₁₆”) wall of bearing material and protects the bearing from deformation. It is often applied where bearings are subject to extreme pressures of up to 70MPa (10,000 psi).

Thordon XL has a very long life with a low coefficient of friction. It is resistant to abrasion and provides optimum performance in clean water applications.

ThorPlas-Blue is an engineered thermoplastic, capable of dry start-up and design pressures up to 45MPa (6,527 psi), static 65MPa. It operates in water, up to 80°C (230°F). In dry conditions, it operates up to 100°C (230°F). In non-abrasive environments, ThorPlas-Blue has very low wear rates.

Thordon HPSXL TRAXL is suitable for high pressure applications up to 55MPa (8,000 psi) dynamic or 70MPa (10,000 psi) static. The coefficient of friction is typically between 0.06-0.12 and is highly resistant to shock loading and vibration.

Thordon SXL is capable of working pressure up to 10MPa (1,450 psi). The coefficient of friction is typically between 0.10-0.20. SXL is capable of dry start-up and can operate in either wet or dry environments. It is highly resistant to abrasion, shock loading, and vibration.

Made specifically for use in very abrasive water environments, GM2401 is stiffer and at least twice the abrasion resistance of rubber. It also has a lower coefficient of friction that rubber.

Thorseal hydraulic seal keeps abrasives away from the bearing surface. It is capable of working pressures from 0-100 MPa (0-15,000 psi) and is extremely tough, never cutting or tearing. It has a low COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION, is self-lubricating, and has a long wear life with reduced maintenance costs. Thorseal can be custom designed to solve difficult sealing challenges.