Salt water heavy loads and constant movement are the ultimate challenges for any bearing on board. Traditional metal bearings often suffer from wear and corrosion in the harsh conditions of the maritime world which can lead to costly downtime.
However more and more shipbuilding professionals are discovering an alternative that effortlessly overcomes these problems plastic bearings. But what makes this technology so interesting for shipbuilding? And why are more shipyards and engineers choosing plastic instead of metal?
Before we dive deeper into why plastic bearings are increasingly preferred over metal variants it is good to know exactly what they are. Depending on the application plastic bearings are often plain ball or roller bearings made from high quality plastics. They are designed to be wear resistant corrosion resistant and often maintenance free.
These bearings support and guide rotating or sliding parts allowing them to move smoothly with minimal friction. They distribute the load and reduce wear on moving components.
Plastic bearings are increasingly used in shipbuilding because of their durability and performance under heavy conditions. Other important advantages of plastic bearings in maritime applications are:
These properties make plastic bearings ideal for applications such as rudder bearings pump components and deck mechanisms where they ensure longer service life higher reliability and lower operating costs.
Although plastic bearings offer many advantages their limitations should not be underestimated. They are less suitable for extremely high loads and temperatures above 120°C limiting their use in certain ship installations. Plastic bearings also often need to comply with maritime safety standards and certifications such as DNV GL Lloyd’s Register and ABS to minimize operational risks.
At ANKRO we like to work closely with customers to find the right solution. With our years of knowledge and expertise in plastics we know exactly which type of plastic suits each application best. Curious about our experience in shipbuilding? Discover it via the button below.
At ANKRO we believe in close cooperation with our customers to achieve the best plastic bearing solutions. Thanks to our extensive expertise and flexible production capabilities we can tailor bearings exactly to the specific requirements of your ship project. This way we offer not only technical quality but also certainty and continuity. Would you like to know what ANKRO can mean for your shipbuilding project? Please contact us.
July 8, 2025, Werkendam, The Netherlands – As of April 2025, ANKRO Kunststof Verspaning has appointed a new branch director. Following a brief interim period, Jaap Vermunt has been officially named to lead the rapidly developing Werkendam facility. With his background as Supply Chain Manager within the BKB Precision Group, he brings valuable expertise, structure, and a clear vision for growth and collaboration.
At the Kunststoffenbeurs 2025 ANKRO together with BLW Kunststoffen will be present again. For the second year in a row we will take visitors into the world of plastic machining and introduce you to our progressive solutions within this field.
What does sustainability really mean in a world of machinery, plastics and machining? On Environment Day 2024, BKB Precision Group answers that question with its new 2024 Sustainability Report. As part of the BKB Precision Group, together with BKB Precision and BLW Kunststoffen, we show how we turn sustainability into concrete actions and progressive ambitions.
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