Hercules Engineering has introduced a new range of structural bearing sets capable of supporting more than 1600 tonnes of compressive load per set for use in extremely high stress applications. The new H-Glide structural bearing sets can deliver 1600-tonne capacity even in compact, wet and extreme stress applications in commercial, government, infrastructure, resources and industrial structures.
The latest Herculon HLD-FF 8000 sliding bearings – which can be used in sets of two – incorporate a sliding layer of globally proven fibre-reinforced and incompressible H-Glide engineering plastic with excellent friction coefficients from 0.05 – 0.1.
Such outstanding sliding characteristics and load-bearing performance – even in compact or wet spaces – are invaluable to infrastructure developers, engineers, architects, and specifiers because lower coefficients of friction will transfer less stress onto the loadbearing structural components as the bearing does its job of protecting them against surrounding movement, says Hercules Engineering manager, David Booty.
The new HLD-FF bearings are the largest H-Glide bearings the company has ever made, though even-larger capacity bearings can be custom-manufactured for extremely long low-maintenance lifespans of up to 100 years typically requested by industry.
“With their incompressible H-Glide sliding layer, these bearings can withstand extreme point pressures of 350-500 megapascals, depending on bearing design and application,” says Booty, whose company is a division of Cut To Size Plastics, which has more than 40 years’ experience as an engineering plastics specialist operating throughout Australia, New Zealand and the SE Asian Pacific.
“This remarkable performance – which is up to 40 times greater than conventional water-resistant and non-lubricated fibre-reinforced elastomeric bearing pads – is complemented by the material’s ability to function well in a variety of environments including, but not limited to, damp or underwater applications,” says Booty.
Applications range from compact high-stress commercial, industrial and resources applications involving architecture and design, construction, infrastructure, energy, food and beverage, mining, manufacturing, maritime, oil and gas, safety, water and wastewater applications and other uses involving exposure to aggressive environments.
Hercules Engineering technical support engineer Sergii Siroklyn despatches sets of the company’s largest-ever H-Glide HLD bearings
“A major advantage of this type of composite bearing is that they do not require lubrication, which minimises any disruption to processes,” says Booty.
“H-Glide bearings’ already excellent lifespans can be increased by the use of a mirror polished stainless steel sliding plate. Absorption of water and other fluids is negligible. The material is virtually inert, reactions with food and cleaning substances, for example, almost never occur,” he says.
Herculon Type D Free Float Bearings (HLD/FF) have been developed to fulfil the need for a low friction bearing on corbels and columns where a continuous slip joint is inappropriate. They can be used under beams and slabs and also under pipes, ducts, conveyors, pressure vessels and small span bridges.
Herculon Type D Free Float Bearing HLD/FF consists of a mild steel top plate to which is attached a polished stainless steel facing plate. This plate slides against an H-Glide Composite Bearing Pad, which in turn is bonded and recessed into a mild steel base plate (recommended but optional).
Hercules Engineering’s standard ranges of Herculon structural bearings and Hercuslip composite slip joints are widely proven product designs that have performed over decades since 1972 in applications ranging from landmark metropolitan construction projects, through to major international industrial and resources projects. The new custom bearings that incorporate H-Glide are a new extreme performance addition to Hercules Engineering’s easily installed and cost-effective range of products that gives architects, engineers and specifiers a high performance and more durable bearing option.
The H-Glide bearing pad is available in different formulations, including conductive materials. It is equally suitable for a wide variety of high-load structures requiring extreme loadbearing capability combined with non 'stick-slip' behaviour, where static and kinetic coefficient of sliding friction are virtually equal.
“By using new generation composite formulations, H-Glide bearings allow the highest loads, with ultra-low wear rates and friction values,” says Booty.
“The material is resistant to a majority of common industrial chemicals and environments, whether it is immersed in water or used in dry applications, or anywhere in between, from freezing to tropical conditions.”
Discover products that suit your style and create a list of the items you like or want most.
Search through our latest projects and articles to find your inspiration for your next project
Join the community and give your insight into projects and news
Subscribe to get all the news, views, resources, comment and opinion on all things Architecture & Design delivered straight to your inbox.