POLYMER PUTS AN END TO RUDDER BEARING WOES
Aug 21, 2016
Boat builders seeking to put an end to customers calling about sticky-feeling helms are turning to Vesconite Hilube, the low-friction, high-performance polymer. It’s the ideal rudder bearing and thrust bushing material for both OEM and refit projects.
Vesconite Hilube is internally lubricated and, even in dirty or silty conditions, provides more than 10 times the wear life of bronze. Because it’s non-metallic, there’s no galvanic corrosion to worry about. It doesn’t swell in water or due to dramatic temperature changes.
These features add up to a silky smooth rudder feel with no stick-slip. It also means far fewer warranty claims or negative feedback.
The polymer is easily machined with tolerances +/-0.001″. It can be milled into an almost unlimited range of shapes and sizes. Because it has a high dimensional stability and load strength, it can be used in a wide range of applications, including threaded parts. It’s available for immediate shipment in the US as custom precision-machined components or raw stock.
Vesconite Hilube is one of a range of high-performance thermoplastics available from Vesconite. The company’s products have been used on everything from ships and mega yachts, to sportfish boats and America’s Cup foiling catamarans.
