Techemer - Water-Lubricated Bearings & Shaft Seals Manufacturer Since 2008 — ISO-Certified | Fully Patented
Water Lubricated Bearing
Techemer is a leading manufacturer of advanced composite materials and bearing solutions under the INDRON® brand. With decades of experience in materials science and a strong R&D team, we specialize in water lubricated bearing technologies that meet the highest standards in marine, hydropower, and industrial applications.
Our products are trusted by shipbuilders, waterworks, dredging companies, and energy equipment OEMs for their superior performance, reliability, and environmental compatibility.
What Is a Water Lubricated Bearing?
A water lubricated bearing is a type of sliding bearing that uses water—fresh or seawater—as its primary lubricant. Unlike oil-lubricated systems, it does not require external lubricants, reducing pollution, maintenance needs, and operational costs.
They are particularly suitable for applications like:
- Marine stern tube and rudder bearings
- Vertical and horizontal water pumps
- Water turbines and hydro guide bearings
- Ship propulsion shafts and dredging equipment
By eliminating oil circulation systems, water lubricated bearings deliver cleaner, simpler, and safer solutions for critical rotating machinery.
INDRON® Material Advantages
All of our water lubricated bearings are made with proprietary INDRON® elastoplastic alloys, developed in-house by Techemer’s R&D team. These materials feature high-performance self-lubricating microcrystals and extreme pressure particles that ensure long service life, even in severe conditions like dry starts, abrasive environments, and high load systems.
Key Material Benefits:
- Excellent dry-running capability with minimal wear
- Self-lubricating particles embedded throughout the matrix
- Dynamic surface pressure resistance up to 12 MPa
- Low friction coefficient and high abrasion resistance
- Long-term temperature resistance up to 170°C (HTR17 grade)
- Environmentally friendly: no oil, no risk of marine pollution
Our materials are designed to perform reliably in both dry and water-lubricated conditions, offering a balanced combination of strength, durability, and sustainability.
Our Product Range
Techemer offers a wide selection of water lubricated bearings, tailored to suit the demands of ship propulsion, pump engineering, hydro, and industrial transport systems. All bearing types are available in a variety of designs, sizes, and materials to meet your precise technical specifications.
INDRON® TSTN water-lubricated rudder bearing is a high-performance, long-life marine bearing designed to replace Thordon SXL.
INDRON® water lubricated stern tube bearings are engineered to deliver exceptional durability, minimal maintenance, and long service life — even in the most demanding marine environments.
INDRON® split plain bearing solutions are specifically designed for water-lubricated marine applications, offering a high-performance and eco-friendly alternative to traditional metal and polymer bearings such as Thordon SXL.
INDRON® stern tube bushings are high-performance, water-lubricated bearings designed to replace traditional metal bearings in marine applications.
INDRON® marine bearings are widely used in bulk carriers and working ships. It has been proved in practice that the product can successfully replace metal stern bearings and rudder bearings in ship oil lubrication systems.
When it comes to ensuring smooth, reliable, and durable operation of your vessel's steering system, our water-lubricated self-lubricating rudder bushings are the perfect choice.
The INDRON® TSTN marine rudder bushing is a wear-resistant, self-lubricating solution designed to replace Thordon SXL in ship rudder systems.
INDRON® TSTN Stern Shaft Bushing is a wear-resistant, water-lubricated bearing designed to replace Thordon SXL in marine propulsion systems.
INDRON® TSTN stern tube bushing is a high-performance water-lubricated bearing solution designed for long-term use in marine propulsion systems.
INDRON® specialize in customized request stern tube bushing solutions designed to meet the specific technical and environmental needs of shipbuilders, shipowners, and OEMs. Whether you require non-standard dimensions, special material grades, or advanced installation methods, our engineering team is ready to deliver.
Thordon SXL has been a common choice in the marine industry—but it’s not the only one. INDRON® TSTN Rudder Bearings offer a reliable, self-lubricating, long-life solution designed for heavy-duty rudder systems operating in water-lubricated environments.
INDRON® TSTN Stern Shaft Bearings are engineered to solve the limitations of traditional oil-lubricated and Thordon SXL bearings, offering a longer lifespan, superior water-lubricated performance, and better ROI.
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Water Lubricated Bearings vs. Traditional Lubricated Bearings
Why Water Lubricated Bearings Are the Smarter Choice
When comparing water lubricated bearings with traditional lubricated bearings (such as oil-lubricated or grease-lubricated types), it's clear that water-lubricated systems offer significant advantages in terms of sustainability, cost-efficiency, and system simplicity.
Widely used in marine, hydro, pump, and dredging industries, water lubricated bearings are rapidly replacing conventional lubrication systems in both new designs and retrofit upgrades.
| Feature | Water Lubricated Bearings | Traditional Lubricated Bearings |
| Lubrication Medium | Clean water, seawater, or process water (no oil required) | Oil, grease, or synthetic lubricants |
| Environmental Impact | Eco-friendly, no leakage risk, no oil pollution | Potential oil spills, marine and environmental contamination |
| System Complexity | No oil tanks, piping, or filters needed | Requires oil circulation systems, seals, and pumps |
| Dry Start Capability | Supported with self-lubricating materials | Not recommended, may cause early failure |
| Maintenance Requirements | Minimal maintenance, no oil changes | Regular lubrication checks and servicing needed |
| Service Life | Long service life with wear-resistant materials | Dependent on lubrication quality and seal integrity |
| Cooling Performance | Naturally cooled by the water environment | Requires separate oil cooling systems |
| Application Adaptability | Ideal for seawater, sediment-laden, and eco-sensitive environments | Best for clean, sealed, and controlled environments |
INDRON® water lubricated bearings offer a cleaner, more reliable, and more cost-effective solution compared to traditional lubricated bearings, especially in demanding marine and industrial conditions.
Water Lubricated Bearings Applications
Our Bearings Are Used In A Wide Range Of Industries, Including:
Custom Engineering & R&D
Our technical team of 20+ engineers supports full customization from material selection to final product assembly. We offer:
- CAD-based product design and 3D modeling
- OEM/ODM manufacturing services
- Custom groove patterns, slotted structures, and compound profiles
- Multiple patents covering sliding surfaces, damping structures, and friction optimization
Why Choose Techemer?
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