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® vertical pump bearings are engineered using PREM high-performance polymer composite materials, specifically designed for water-lubricated pumps in industrial, marine, and municipal applications.
INDRON® High Temperature High Load Self-Lubricating Filament Wound Bearings are specifically engineered for demanding pump applications that require exceptional durability, high performance under extreme conditions, and long maintenance-free service life.
The Radial Bearing for Elastic Polymer Turbine Guide is a high-performance bearing designed for water-lubricated applications.
INDRON® TSTN water lubrication bearing bushings are cutting-edge solutions specifically engineered for pump applications requiring high-performance, environmentally friendly bearings.
INDRON® TSTN Water Guide Bearing Bushings are advanced, water-lubricated bearings designed to replace Thordon SXL in pump systems.
INDRON® pump thrust bearings are designed for high-performance applications in industrial, municipal, and marine environments.
INDRON® Maintenance-Free Ceramic Bushings are advanced ceramic bearing solutions specifically designed for demanding environments such as mining, where extreme wear, corrosion, and temperature conditions challenge traditional metal bushings.
Proven Performance in the FieldINDRON® self-lubricating bushings are extensively applied in marine rudder bearing and stern bearing systems on bulk carriers and working vessels.
INDRON® water lubricated stern tube bearings are engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern marine propulsion systems.
INDRON® self-lubricating bearings are engineered for marine stern tube and rudder applications, offering exceptional durability, low friction, and superior wear resistance.
It provides rotational support, reduces friction during vane movement, and protects the shaft neck from wear. Traditional copper-based graphite mosaic bearings have long served this purpose — but INDRON® non-metallic guide vane sleeves offer a superior alternative.
Unlike conventional copper-based or oil-lubricated bearings, INDRON® products are made from self-lubricating composite materials with a metal-based protective cladding, providing excellent shaft protection, long-term stability, and consistent performance under wet, abrasive, or high-load conditions.
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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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