• Eliminated Fretting Corrosion
• Reduced Vibrations by 50%
• Significant Bearing Life Increase
• Reduced Pump Maintenance
• Higher Productivity at Lower cost

Pumps are often operated a very low flow rates because application demands have been reduced from the original design criteria. Operation at these conditions generates increased radial and thrust loading on the bearing system and pressure pulsations that increase vibration. The resultant high static and dynamic loading on the bearing system causes elevated temperatures, ball skidding, and outer race "fretting" which leads to degradation of the lubricant(blackened lubrication).

The elimination of this problem included the use of a hybrid thrust bearing with thin dense chrome (TDC) coated raceways and oil flood lubrication. The dissimilar material(balll against raceway) eliminated the fretting corrosion problem and the low operating temperature of the hybrid bearing substantially reduced degradation of the lubricant. The high elastic modulous silicon nitride ball increased the overall bearing stiffness which reduced vibrations by 50% in the pump.