Advanced Materials

For more than 30 years, Waukesha Bearings has led the design and development of ceramic and polymer bearing technology. These advanced materials extend the operating limits of both fixed profile and tilting pad bearings and allow lubrication by process fluids such as water and other low viscosity fluids.

Committed to innovation, Waukesha Bearings continues to invest in the research and development of bearings using advanced materials via a range of dedicated test rigs. Solid polymer technology, such as HIPERAX™ thrust bearings optimized for operation in water-lubricated applications, is the most recent addition to the traditional range of silicon carbide and polymer-lined thrust and journal bearings.

Waukesha Bearings’ polymer and ceramic bearings are ideal for challenging environments such as subsea pumping or electric submersible pumps where equipment reliability and optimized performance are critical.

Advanced materials. Extended performance.

Waukesha Bearings’ bearing design experience combined with advanced materials expertise provides the foundation for some of our highest performing products.

  • Higher temperature capability - polymers up to 480°F (250°C) / ceramics up to 750°F (400°C)
  • Operation with thinner hydrodynamic films
  • Allows lubrication by a wide range of process fluids such as water, toluene, refrigerant and liquid oxygen
  • High abrasion resistant silicon carbide for protection against sand
  • Corrosion resistance to process fluids including H2S
  • Electrically insulating to protect against damaging currents
  • Bearing material options include polymer-lined, solid polymer or ceramic

Waukesha Bearings’ advanced materials extend the performance of a variety of oil, water and process lubricated applications worldwide.

  • Oil lubricated applications include subsea pumping equipment, gas turbines, and electrical submersible pumps.
  • Water and process lubricated applications include a wide variety of pumps, water-filled motors, water-lubricated compressors, ORC turbines, water injection pumps and subsea pumping equipment.