Tenmat Composite Marine Bearings
FEROFORM and RAILKO are advanced engineering composite materials, exclusively manufactured by TENMAT, and are widely recognised as the industry standard for demanding applications such as stern tube, propeller, A-bracket and rudder bearings, steering gear, deck equipment, offshore and bitumen and asphalt tanker insulation and support pads.
TENMAT is the trusted supplier to major navies worldwide. More than 35 navies specify FEROFORM and RAILKO for safety critical applications where their excellent performance, in abrasive conditions, offer the best combination of durability, low friction and low wear rates in the market place. TENMAT marine bearings have been fitted on a wide range of naval vessels, including patrol boats, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, submarines, aircraft carriers, mine hunters and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
TENMAT FEROFORM grades and RAILKO NF are thermoset composite bearings manufactured by TENMAT in Manchester, used worldwide on newly built vessels, and are available for maintenance purpose, as well as retrofit bearing upgrades from thermoplastic or elastomeric bearings.
Navy-approved engineering materials
The UK Navy approved TENMAT FEROFORM and RAILKO bearings on their submarines, frigates, destroyers, tankers, support vessels and aircraft carriers, which provided low friction measurements, absence of stick-slip, and reduce wear on metal shaft liners.
RAILKO bearings were specified by the French Navy’s surface vessels and Nuclear Submarine due to the silent running of the TENMAT marine bearings.
Specifications for TENMAT bearings were also given by the Indian Navy for its new IMS Kamorta sub-hunter frigate, where silent-running bearings are paramount.
The Ecuadorian Navy approved RAILKO bearings for their SS Submarine due to low water swell, low friction and low stick slip. Benefits providing solutions for safety-critical applications.
Submarines
TENMAT marine bearings have been specified and installed in more than 120 submarines for deployment worldwide, from arctic to tropic seas. FEROFORM and RAILKO composite materials are approved and used by navies for propeller shaft and rudder bearings in submarines where reliable bearing operation is vital.
The low friction and low stick-slip of TENMAT composites give a natural low noise signature that is ideal for stealth operation. Their reinforced matrix structure, using highly specified engineering fibres, anti-scuffing resins and integral lubricants, successfully absorbs shocks and vibrations. This gives significant reductions in noise and enhances bearing life, even in estuarine waters.
Product and services
Tenmat Material Benefits
FEROFORM and RAILKO composite materials are widely recognised as the industry standard for demanding applications such as stern tube, propeller and ‘A’ bracket bearing, rudder bearings, deck equipment and many other military applications.
- Market-leading wear performance: resistant to abrasion and arduous conditions and consistently exhibits lower wear rates against all competitive materials, hence longer life
- Does not require clean water systems: superior resistance to abrasion in arduous conditions and sand-laden waters.
- Excellent stability: minimal water swell and low thermal expansion allowing tighter clearances, ensuring longer life
- Low friction, low stick slip equals low noise: lower noise levels due to lower friction levels and tighter tolerances
- Shaft friendly: excellent with stainless steel, gunmetal, and nickel aluminium bronze counter faces, alongside other common shaft materials
- Accepts misalignment: capable of absorbing high shock loading, therefore accommodating misalignment without damage or fracturing
- Approved by all major classification societies: FEROFORM and RAILKO marine bearings boast full approvals from all leading marine classification bodies worldwide
- Significant worldwide stocks: stocks of FEROFORM and RAILKO tubes are held at strategic locations worldwide, allowing for immediate despatch to any location
- Environmentally friendly: when operated as water lubricated bearings with no contamination from oil or grease
- Works with all lubrication systems: can operate with sea water, oil, or grease lubrication and even dry operation
- Easy to machine, fit and install: available in sheets, tubes, and fully machined components, as well as complete bearing packages with bronze housings
About TENMAT
The TENMAT success story began more than 100 years ago in Trafford Park, one of the world’s first planned industrial estates and still the largest of its kind in Europe. It has been here at TENMAT, where some of the world’s first non-asbestos composite materials were developed, manufactured and supplied worldwide.
Since the 1990s, the company has experienced unparalleled growth, expanding to become a multi-national corporation with presence in the UK, Italy, Sweden, the US, Germany, and France. In 2006 TENMAT acquired Railko, further strengthening its leading position in the rail and marine markets.
TENMAT manufactures a diverse range of thermosets, thermoplastics, hard metals, engineering ceramics, intumescent, and refractory products. TENMAT components offer outstanding resilience, toughness, wear protection, temperature resistance, and long lasting performance.
Contact TENMAT today to receive further information about FEROFORM and RAILKO bearings and other proven solutions for Marine applications.
Make an enquiry
Ashburton Road West
Trafford Park
M17 1RU
Manchester
United Kingdom
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Products and Services
Deck Equipment
TENMAT FEROFORM and RAILKO composite marine bearings are self-lubricating and can be used for replacing metallic bearings.
Rudder and Steering Gear Bearings
TENMAT FEROFORM and RAILKO grades of reinforced composite materials have been developed as self-lubricating.
Stabilisers, Dive Plain, Anti-Pitch and Variable Pitch Propeller Submarines
TENMAT RAILKO NF and FEROFORM T grades are approved and specified by navies worldwide for propeller shaft and rudder bearings in submarines. The industry leading materials offer reduced stick slip, improved fuel efficiency, lower vibration and reduced wear.
Stern Tube Bearings
For more than 50 years, TENMAT have been manufacturing advanced composite materials for the marine market and supplying more than 8,000 vessels with high-quality FEROFORM and RAILKO bearings on both commercial and military vessels operating in the most adverse environments and giving excellent performance.
Video
Marine Animation
White Papers
Bearings for Rudder and Steering Gear Applications
Tests confirm that FEROFORM and RAILKO marine bearings have better wear resistance than elastomeric and polyester / polyester bearing materials, thus providing ship owners with up to four times longer service life and lower operating costs.
Stern Tube Bearings for Military Application
Tests confirm that FEROFORM and RAILKO marine bearings have significantly better wear resistance than elastomeric and polyester / polyester bearing materials, providing longer service life and lower operating costs.
Related Projects
Press Release
Building on great successes in 2016, Tenmat is preparing a strong finish to the calendar year for its thriving Marine Bearings Department. We highlight this by exhibiting during the International Workboat Show 2016 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Read moreTenmat / RAILKO will be present at Exponaval 2016 at Base Aeronaval Concon, Vina del Mar from 29 November - 2 December.
Read moreIn the world of intensive deep-sea dredging, size matters, especially when it comes to the working fleet of one of the world's largest dredging companies.
Read moreTenmat is proud to be present in the biggest maritime exhibition of the Middle East and announce our new alliance with M.I.E. Overseas, covering Cyprus, Israel and the Middle East.
Read moreTENMAT commercial director Julian Greenhalgh comments on the company's ownership and manufacture of RAILKO products.
Read moreTENMAT will be present at Euronaval 2016 at Paris Le Bourget from 17-21 October.
Read moreTenmat will be present at SMM 2016 at Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) from 6-9 September 2016.
Read moreHistorically Tenmat's service offering in many cases did not meet the market expectations. As we relaunch our marine business we are delighted to announce a dramatic improvement in the service offered by Tenmat.
Read moreTenmat's priority is delivering customer service to the highest standards. This is demonstrated by the significant FEROFORM and RAILKO base tube stocks held at strategic worldwide locations.
Read moreTenmat is pleased to offer a 15-year manufacturer's defect warranty on FEROFORM and RAILKO marine bearings (T&Cs apply). The ship owner is guaranteed total peace of mind when specifying Tenmat's advanced marine bearings.
Read moreThe INS Kamorta was commissioned on 23 August 2014. It is the first vessel of its class, a new generation of four submarine-hunting corvettes for the Indian Navy.
Read moreRegional Offices
Ashburton Road West
Trafford Park
M17 1RU
Manchester
United Kingdom
