ADVANCED WATER-LUBRICATED BEARING SYSTEMS

DuraBlue ®

Composite Water-Lubricated
Stern Tube Bearings
E Pollution Free
E Dimensionally Stable, Long Wear Life
E Ultra-Low Friction, High Load Capabilities

PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SELECTION GUIDE

Duramax Marine® is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company

 DuraBlue is a high performance stern tube bearing
®

for blue water operation.

DuraBlue® water-lubricated stern tube bearings are manufactured
using a unique synthetic reinforced composite that incorporates
solid lubricants for superior operation and outstanding wear life in
blue water applications. The composite resin matrix was designed
to withstand the rigors of seawater operation and frictional heat
generated when used in stern tube propulsion systems.

DuraBlue® is dimensionally stable, has a very low coefficient of

expansion in extremely cold or tropical regions.

DuraBlue® is designed to tolerate edge loading and misalignment

even with the heaviest loads. It is chemical and corrosion resistant
and will not cause corrosion to housing.

n Approved for 2:1 L/d operation

n Ultra low friction propulsion bearing -
COF 0.001
n High strength-to-weight ratio
n Internal lubricants for superior operation
n Proprietary fiber/resin matrix for
extended wear life
n Low coefficient of thermal expansion
n Easy to machine and install

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DuraBlue is an engineered composite material with ABS type approval.
®

The DuraBlue® composite matrix was engineered and DuraBlue® stands ahead of the competition.
tested to provide superior performance in blue water
Unlike unstable thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers,
stern tube applications. It has received full ABS type
DuraBlue® has an engineered composite matrix that
approval for use in propulsion bearings with length to
will not suffer from hysteresis failure or swelling from
diameter ratios L/d as low as 2:1.
hydrolysis.
DuraBlue® bearings meet the requirements for operation
DuraBlue® has a much lower coefficient of thermal
in propulsion systems by all other class societies.
expansion than polyurethane elastomers and will never
loosen or become dislodged in the stern tube.

DuraBlue® will never exhibit brittleness or chatter in

extremely cold temperatures, or reach a melting point
at high temperatures.

Duramax Marine® maintains a commitment

to the environment.
Duramax Marine offers the most complete range
of seawater-lubricated propulsion system bearings in
the industry. Our bearing systems are used on more
commercial and navy vessels than any other.

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 DuraBlue is a cost-effective stern tube bearing solution for blue water use.
®

DuraBlue® Bearing is dimensionally stable and PROPERTY UNIT VALUE

abrasion resistant.
Compressive Strength (ASTM D695) MPa Psi > 207 > 35,000
Swelling in sea water is virtually eliminated with our proprietary Shear Strength (ASTM D2344) MPa Psi > 13.8 > 2,000
composite resin matrix. DuraBlue® thermoset polymer matrix is Modulus of Elasticity (ASTM D638) MPa Psi > 3,102 > 450,000
reinforced with synthetic fibers, and contain no organic fibers
Hardness (ASTM D785) Rockwell “R" > 110
that can swell in sea water. It has an absorption rate ≤0.09%.
Density (ASTM D792) 103 kg/m3 lb/in3 1.25 0.045

Water Absorption (ASTM D570) % < 0.5

DuraBlue® meets the Duramax Marine® highest level
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (ASTM D696) 10-6 /°C 10-6 /°F 43 24
of industry standards.
Chemical Resistance NA Good
DuraBlue® stern tube bearings have been tested in Duramax®
Color NA Blue
in-house lab and meet the highest level of marine industry
Maximum Temperature (ASTM D648) °C °F 100 212
standards. They are manufactured to meet ISO 9001 standards
and are approved for commercial blue water marine use by ABS. Minimum Temperature °C °F < -200 < -328

Advised Maximum Working Temperature °C °F 80 176

Tested dry
0.1 – 0.2
Duramax® DuraBlue® compression test. Coefficient of Friction - Steady State operation at 15N/mm2
Tested wet at 80 npsi 0.001 - 0.003
An independent laboratory General Wear Resistance NA Very Good
static compression test on the
Resistance Against Abrasive Wear NA Good
DuraBlue® composite material
Deflection* in < 0.010
showed it exceeded 51,000 PSI.
* after 24 hour at 15 N/mm2

DuraBlue®
Bearings

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 P

DuraBlue is ideal for conversion of oil to water-lubricated propulsion systems.

® R

OD T

Duramax Marine® Engineers can design a complete Special designs.

conversion of your oil lubricated propulsion system to a water- W
Special bearings for naval application that incorporate partial
lubricated system.
arc segmental bearings mounted in split bronze housings are
R
also available. All bearings can be manufactured as full or
Seawater lubrication - The ideal lubricant. split bearings.
Seawater is the ideal lubricant for use in modern propulsion OD T

systems. It offers the obvious advantages of being nonpolluting Stave Bearing design.
and environmentally friendly. It is plentiful and a cost effective W
Staves can be machined using sheet
and superior alternative to oil lubricated propulsion systems.
stock and is an easy and more economical
Our engineering team can design a water-lubricated propulsion
solution when removing worn staves and
system that eliminates oil pollution and keeps our oceans clean.
keeper strips for replacing staves in the
bronze carrier.
Ultra low friction and wear. OD T

Wear and friction are more important considerations with Fitting methods for DuraBlue® Bearings.
water-lubricated bearings than with oil lubricated bearings.
DuraBlue® can be easily installed using one of these recom-
This is because of the very low viscosity of water and the
mended installation techniques:
resulting thin film thickness. DuraBlue® is designed to operate
hydrodynamically and support water film development at very n Press Fit
low shaft speeds. The material matrix is also extremely resistant n Freeze Fit
to wear by third body abrasion. n Liquid Nitrogen (Vapor Method)
n Liquid Nitrogen (Immersion Method)
n Dry Ice and Alcohol Method

See the DuraBlue® installation brochure for more information.

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 DuraBlue Bearings, custom fit to match your application.
®

DuraBlue® Bearings can be easily machined. The Duramax® Edge: unmatched quality.
As a general guide DuraBlue® Every person at Duramax Marine® is focused on delivering
Bearing is machinable using stan- the highest, most consistent quality of product and technical
dard conventional machine shop support in the marine industry. Quality that has set performance
techniques. Methods used for records unmatched by any other products in the industry around
brass, aluminum or lignum vitae the world.
will apply for DuraBlue . It is pref-
®

erable to use tungsten carbide turning tools with cutting speeds

Worldwide reach.
of 5.5 m/s (19ft/s). Must be machined dry, without use of coolant.
Duramax Marine® has a long history of delivering engineered
For more information on machining, drilling and grooving of product solutions for maintenance problems, earning the trust
bearings see DuraBlue® Bearing Installation Brochure. of marine professionals around the world. Our global technical
support team and distributor network of product experts are
DuraBlue bearings are available in any size.
® always available for customers wherever they are needed.

DuraBlue® Bearings are available for any shaft diameter.

The bearings can be supplied from our factory in unfinished
tubes or we can supply fully machined ready
for service.

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Duramax products complete your water-lubricated propulsion and steering systems.
®

Duramax Marine® also manufactures DryMax® Shaft DuraBlue® is also designed to be used as a rudder
Seal. It is a robust, long-life shaft seal designed for bushing, thrust washer and wear pad.
optimal sealing performance.
DuraBlue® Rudder Bushings and washers are available in an
Duramax Marine® stocks DryMax® Stern Tube Seals to help you engineered dimensionally stable, high performance, pollution
complete the conversion to water for your propulsion system. free, self-lubricating product that delivers extremely long life.
DuraBlue® has been fully tested at 15N/mm2 and delivers an with
The DryMax® Shaft Seal is a reliable system that uses no grease
ultra-low steady state friction value of 0.1 to 0.2.
or oil and is easy to install and maintain. It is a great addition to
a full line of proven and reliable marine products developed by DuraBlue® Bushings can be supplied both finished and unfin-
Duramax Marine® and engineered to protect the environment. ished and are available to ship within 24 hours in a full range of
stock sizes quickly and economically.

DuraBlue® Stern Tube Bearings, Rudder Bushings, pintles and

thrust washers can be custom machined to fit your exact needs
in 1" to 42" diameters, or from
31 inch x 48 inch flat stock.
We will use your engineered
drawings to fit your specific
application and delivered to
meet the time agreed to.

DryMax® Rudder For propulsion shafts

Sealing System from 3.5" to 36" (89-900mm)
also available.

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 INNOVATION. Duramax Marine® is committed to providing excellence in every product
we manufacture. Our Johnson Cutless® marine and industrial bearings,
EXPERIENCE. heat exchangers, impact protection systems and sealing systems are known
worldwide for their engineered quality and dependable performance. Please contact
RESULTS. the factory for information on any of the following Duramax Marine® products:

JOHNSON CUTLESS WATER-LUBRICATED BEARING SYSTEMS

®

Johnson Cutless® Sleeve and Flanged Bearings

DX 490 Rudder Bushings

DURAMAX ADVANCED WATER-LUBRICATED BEARING SYSTEMS

®

Johnson® Demountable Stave Bearings

ROMOR®I Stave Bearings and Segmental Housings
ROMOR® C- Partial Arc Bearings
DMX® Polymer Alloy Bearings
DuraBlue® Bearings, Rudder & Pintle Bushings, Thrust Washers, and Wear Pads
Industrial Pump Bearing Systems

DURAMAX HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEMS

®

DuraCooler® Keel Coolers

Duramax® Demountable Keel Coolers
Duramax® BoxCoolers
Duramax® Plate Heat Exchangers

DURAMAX IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEMS

®

Johnson® Commercial Dock Bumpers, Fenders & Tow Knees

Weatherstrip Door Gaskets, Window Channel and Hatch Cover Gaskets
LINERITE® Composite Batterboard Systems

DURAMAX SHAFT SEALING SYSTEMS

®

DryMax® Shaft Seal & Rudder Seal

Duramax® Mechanical Shaft Seal
Johnson® Heavy-Duty Air Seal Stuffing Boxes
Duramax® Ultra-X® High Performance Compression Packing
Johnson® Strong Boy Stern Castings and Stuffing Boxes

©2018 Duramax Marine®

17990 Great Lakes Parkway
Hiram, Ohio 44234 U.S.A.
PHONE 440.834.5400
FAX 800.497.9283 USA & Canada
or 440.834.4950
info@DuramaxMarine.com
www.DuramaxMarine.com Duramax Marine® is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company

D9-05-18