Sleeve Water-Lubricated Bearings
Yuanfeng sleeve water-lubricated bearings are the most widely used type of marine cutlass bearing, consisting of a precision-ground rubber lining bonded inside a cylindrical metal or polymer shell. Designed for direct press-fit installation into stern tubes and strut housings, they provide reliable water-lubricated operation for marine propeller shaft systems.
When installed in the stern tube assembly, these bearings are commonly referred to as stern tube bearings — the industry term for sleeve-type cutlass bearings mounted between the propeller shaft and stern tube. Whether called sleeve bearings, stern tube bearings, or simply cutlass bearings, the construction is the same: a cylindrical shell with a grooved rubber lining that uses water as its sole lubricant.
Flanged Water-Lubricated Bearings
Yuanfeng flanged water-lubricated bearings feature an integral flange for direct mounting to bulkheads, strut assemblies, or stern frames. The flange eliminates the need for separate retaining rings or bearing housings, simplifying installation and reducing component count.
Structurally, these are flanged water-lubricated bearings — a precision-ground rubber lining bonded to a metal shell with a machined flange at one end, allowing the bearing to bolt directly in place. They are commonly used as outboard stern tube bearings, strut bearings, and rudder carrier bearings where axial retention is required.
Available in both solid one-piece and split (demountable) configurations, with NBR or PU rubber linings and shell materials including naval brass, stainless steel, and aluminum bronze.
Non-Metallic Water-Lubricated Bearings
Yuanfeng non-metallic water-lubricated bearings use a phenolic resin or engineering polymer shell instead of naval brass or stainless steel, completely eliminating galvanic corrosion between the bearing shell and the housing. This makes them the preferred choice for aluminum-hulled vessels, chemical tankers, naval craft, and any application where electrical isolation is required.
Like our brass-shell bearings, the non-metallic design features a precision-ground rubber lining bonded inside the polymer shell, operating with water as the sole lubricant. The result is a lightweight, corrosion-proof bearing that delivers the same vibration-dampening performance and long service life as our standard cutlass bearings.
Demountable Water-Lubricated Bearings
Yuanfeng demountable (split) water-lubricated bearings are designed for vessels where propeller or shaft removal is impractical or cost-prohibitive. The bearing is manufactured in two or more segments, allowing replacement without drawing the shaft or removing the propeller — significantly reducing dry dock time and labor costs.
Each segment consists of a metal shell with bonded rubber lining, precision-machined to ensure proper alignment when assembled. The split design maintains the same performance characteristics as our one-piece bearings, including water lubrication, vibration damping, and full interchangeability with industry-standard dimensions.
These are split sleeve cutlass bearings — the same sleeve bearing geometry but divided along the horizontal or vertical axis for installation around an installed shaft. Available in two-half (180° split), three-segment (120°), and hinged configurations depending on shaft diameter and access requirements.
Water‑Lubricated Pump Bearings
Yuanfeng pump bearings come in sleeve-type and guide-type designs, fitting pump shafts for clean water, seawater, sewage and abrasive slurry. The pumped medium lubricates the bearing liner.
Used in vertical, submersible and slurry pumps, they enable oil‑free service with no complicated seals and lower maintenance. They support pump shafts, limit radial run‑out and ensure internal rotor coaxiality.
Water‑lubricated rubber, polyurethane and PEEK liners provide great adaptability. Outperforming metal bearings, they resist sand, silt and transient shock loads, ideal for clean‑water transport, seawater systems, industrial pumps and high‑wear slurry applications.
Water‑Lubricated Turbine Guide Bearings
Made of modified PEEK via precision machining, our water-lubricated turbine guide bearing is a high-performance oil-free sliding bushing. Featuring high mechanical strength, ultra-low water absorption and low friction, it avoids swelling and deformation in water and realizes full water self-lubrication without oil systems.
With outstanding sediment wear resistance, corrosion resistance and electrical insulation, it effectively protects main shafts from shaft current damage. Superior to traditional rubber and phenolic bearings in temperature resistance, creep resistance and load capacity, it adapts to harsh, high-temperature and high-precision working conditions for turbines and pumps. Widely applied in hydropower stations, pump stations and marine equipment, the bearing can be customized in inner diameter, length, water groove and single-flange structure per client drawings.
Customer Water-Lubricated Bearings
Not every vessel uses standard bearing dimensions. Shaft wear from years of service, modified housing bores, or non-standard original equipment often require bearings that fall outside catalog sizes.
Yuanfeng manufactures custom cutlass bearings to your exact specifications — any shaft diameter, housing bore, bearing length, shell material, or lining compound. Whether you need a one-off replacement for an obsolete OEM part or a production run for a new vessel design, our engineering team can deliver.
We operate two manufacturing processes under one roof — rubber vulcanizing and CNC machining — allowing us to produce custom bearings in rubber (NBR, PU, NR, EPDM, CR), polymer (phenolic, UHMWPE, nylon), and PEEK materials. This dual capability means we can match virtually any existing bearing construction.
Typical lead time: 2-3 weeks for first article, 1-2 weeks for repeat orders.