Steel Manufacturing Blog: Keeping it Steel

Structural Bearings

Posted on Tue, Jul 30, 2024 @ 11:40 AM

Vibration Isolation, Thermal Break, Expansion and Contraction, Elastomeric.
In many forms they are showing up in designs to aid finished structure Safety, Efficiency, Longevity and Maintenance Costs.

 

Fabricated-Neoprene-Base-Plate-PadsFig. 1

Fabricated Neoprene Base Plate Pads.

Industrial Neoprene: The simplest type of bearing which serves many functions from electrical separation to vibration isolation to bearing rotation (flex). Its easy machining and low cost are the main advantages.

Fig. 2Fabricated Vblon Shim 350 x 159

                                              Viblon®/Sorbtex® Bearing Pads

Viblon®/Sorbtex®: Nitrile Rubber impregnated with layers of cotton-polyester mesh. The mesh fabric provides lateral stability.

Sylodyn-High-Resilient-Bearings No TextFig 3

Sylodyn Vibration and Sound
protection bearings. Colors
indicate psi range.

 

Sylodyn®: Closed cell elastomer is ideal for cushioning and minimizing impact, vibration and noise. It has elevated spring characteristics and can support very high loads. Sylodyn has an expected service life of 100 years. This makes it ideal for applications where regular replacement is difficult and expensive.

 

Fig. 4
Thermal Break Bearing shown with washers and bushings.Thermal-Break

On the opposite side of the Structural Bearing range are the solid/composite Thermal Break Bearings designed to prohibit energy transfer (heat). This is required whenever energy is being expended heating or cooling an interior space. Thermal Break Bearings are essential for environmental considerations, but properly designed they will eventually pay for themselves in energy cost reductions.

Korolath-Slotted-Wedge-Shim-1Fig. 5
Korolath Plastic bearing shim.
Korolath machines well and
can be fabricated to any
specification.

 

Korolath® Plastic is a solid bearing and shim material. With psi ratings up to 4,500 psi Korolath® provides excellent strength and durability.

Frequently different bearing materials are bonded together to provide multiple functions such as expansion, contraction and rotation. The Fluorogold® Slide Bearing FC-1010-CS 1/2 RE illustrates the composition and benefits of these assemblies.

Fluorogold®, Teflon®, Elastomeric, Sylodyn®, the list goes on and new materials and designs are added frequently.

Structural Bearings are just one of the 37 product lines manufactured, fabricated or distributed by The Steel Supply Company. Review the Complete Product Line, or call / email for information and quotes.