GGB tribological solutions move the industrial world one step closer to the future. Our products are used in tens of thousands of critical applications every day—around the planet. Our goal is to provide reliable, maintenance-free surface solutions for almost any application—no matter where those demands take our products.
GGB's diverse polymer coating solutions encompass some of the most state-of-the-art coating technologies available. Our TriboShield® product line includes seven standard formulations that cover the full spectrum of mechanical, thermal and chemical capabilities offered by today's coating materials. They can also be applied to nearly any surface, regardless of shape or material, making their potential almost endless. And when it comes to working with and enhancing the performance of your existing bearing and polymer coatings solutions, our TriboMate product line is specifically designed to be paired up— all leading to enhanced performance.
The excellent low friction and high wear resistance performance of GGB metal-polymer bearings make them ideal for hundreds of applications in numerous and diverse industries. Depending upon application requirements, metal-polymer composite bearings can be produced in many shapes and sizes.
GGB's Engineered Plastic Polymer bearings provide excellent wear resistance and low friction in both dry and lubricated operating conditions over a wide range of applications. Engineered plastic bearings are made from thermoplastic bearing material processed by injection moulding. This production method enables us to produce unlimited dimensions in accordance to our standard, and also parts with special designs and features.
GGB's Fiber Reinforced Composite products typically consists of a filament-wound, fiberglass-impregnated, epoxy backing with a variety of low-friction wear-resistant bearing linings. These self-lubricating fiber reinforced composite bearings are particularly effective in applications where the relative motion is not sufficient to promote circulation of the oil or grease used with more conventional bearings. GGB Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings are available as bushes, plates, bearing segments and special forms, depending on the particular material type.
Bimetal and metal bearings offer excellent corrosion resistance in industrial outdoor applications and in water, marine and offshore environments. GGB offers a broad range of sizes, forms and materials in monometallic and bimetallic bearings.
Engineered as a solution to conquer misalignment reduction when high demands are placed on bearings, GGB's UNI, MINI and EXALIGN® self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies offer improved equipment performance under standard bearing assemblies by reducing stress and friction. Offering superior performance in a wide variety of applications, GGB's self-aligning assemblies are available in both standard and custom configurations.
GGB has been putting the world in motion for over 120 years with industry-leading tribological bearings, coatings and assemblies. From Polymer Coatings and Metal-Polymer bearings to Fiber Reinforced Composite bearings and self-aligning shaft bearing assemblies, our solutions are specifically designed to reduce friction and optimize performance and durability.
Tribology is the science of wear, friction and lubrication, and encompasses how interacting surfaces and other tribo-elements behave in relative motion in natural and artificial systems. This includes bearing design and lubrication.
GGB’s TriboU is intended to provide the working engineer, who may or may not be a user of GGB’s surface engineered solutions, to understand and implement basic tribological concepts in the design, manufacture and use of industrial equipment.
At GGB, we aren’t afraid to take risks for our customers. We are passionate about the work we do and believe that same passion contributes to the level of innovation that can enhance human potential. We take pride in working closely with customers in the early stage of a design to think broadly and boldly, and to expand beyond traditional surface engineered solutions. We offer reliable partnerships based on trust, compassion, determination, collaboration and respect.
GGB seeks out collaborative, long-term relationships with each one of our customers. Our diverse expertise gives us a deep understanding of the challenges you face. When you partner with us early, our GGB engineering team is able to review your assemblies and make sure both the bearing and surrounding components are optimized for performance and cost-effectiveness.
Case Study
Energy
Brazil’s Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam is a complex of dams, numerous dykes and a series of canals supplying two different power stations with water.
GGB was selected to supply self-lubricating, fiber reinforced composite HPM hydro bearings and HPF bearing segments for the Belo Monte Project, based on test results approved by Norte Energia. The bearings were tested to determine their suitability for extended wicket gate service at the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant. The project required a reliable, water and debris resistant material able to withstand the harsh 24-hour operating conditions at the dam with a minimum service life of 20 years.
Powertech Labs conducted the testing in accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers specifications. Testing conditions simulated the actual operating environment of the Belo Monte dam, including the use of water from the Xingu River where it is being constructed.
The bearings were subjected to tests modified to simulate 30 years of operation rather than the standard 8 years.
The bearings performed exceptionally well, passing the dry testing conditions with minimal evidence of operating stress. With construction commencing in 2014, a contract was awarded to GGB for seven power-generating units. In addition, GGB will also supply GGB-DB® bronze bearings for 18 segment gates at the Belo Monte dam.
Significantly, it was demonstrated that the coefficient of friction and wear rate decrease as running time increases, allowing the project engineers to design the turbines with smaller servomotors. Engineers now use the essential data provided from testing when specifying self-lubricating bearings in hydropower turbines to achieve longer service life and maintenance-free operation.
GGB’s HPF and HPM materials were specifically developed for hydropower applications, providing maintenance-free operation with no additional lubrication required. Consisting of a fiberglass-reinforced, epoxy resin support layer and a sliding layer of polyester fibers with PTFE and other additives, HPF and HPM® hydro bearings are compliant with EU RoHS directive and offer many advantages, including excellent resistance to impact and corrosion, high static and dynamic load capacity, 75 % lower weight than equivalent size metallic bearings and extended service life.
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