Non metallic wear rings
Non metallic wear rings
(OP)
I've been reading an article on the advantages of non-metallic wear rings online, in a 3 part article called "the power of wear rings."
It makes a compelling case. The removal of traditional metal wear rings, means reduction of damage from impact between the impeller and casing, which means you can reduce the clearance distances, which in turn dampens vibration, reducing maintenance costs and improves seal/bearing life. It also improved shaft stiffness and increases efficiency among other appealing advantages.
I checked and all of the casing and impeller wear rings, which we use on our centrifugal pumps, are indeed metallic.
So I decided to investigate further. The artical I read, sold the idea like an infomercial, so I hunted the internet for some corroborating evidence.
The only thing I could find was a company that sells a polymer wear ring. I joked to myself "I bet the guy that wrote that article works for them."
I decided to go back and re-read the article and this time found a better presented pdf version and lo and behold, in the 'about the author' segment, he works for that company.
So basically what I'm here to ask is, does anyone have any experience of working with these products or have any source of information on them other than this guys long winded advertisment, trying to pass itself off as a research paper on improved pump efficiency.
It certainly sounds reasonable enough, what he's trying to say to a simple mechy like me, but are the benefits real? Do they justify the expense of the maintenance for replacement parts?
By all means go have a read through the article, it's easily found through google.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
It makes a compelling case. The removal of traditional metal wear rings, means reduction of damage from impact between the impeller and casing, which means you can reduce the clearance distances, which in turn dampens vibration, reducing maintenance costs and improves seal/bearing life. It also improved shaft stiffness and increases efficiency among other appealing advantages.
I checked and all of the casing and impeller wear rings, which we use on our centrifugal pumps, are indeed metallic.
So I decided to investigate further. The artical I read, sold the idea like an infomercial, so I hunted the internet for some corroborating evidence.
The only thing I could find was a company that sells a polymer wear ring. I joked to myself "I bet the guy that wrote that article works for them."
I decided to go back and re-read the article and this time found a better presented pdf version and lo and behold, in the 'about the author' segment, he works for that company.
So basically what I'm here to ask is, does anyone have any experience of working with these products or have any source of information on them other than this guys long winded advertisment, trying to pass itself off as a research paper on improved pump efficiency.
It certainly sounds reasonable enough, what he's trying to say to a simple mechy like me, but are the benefits real? Do they justify the expense of the maintenance for replacement parts?
By all means go have a read through the article, it's easily found through google.
Any feedback would be appreciated.





RE: Non metallic wear rings
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
RE: Non metallic wear rings
If there is one bloke saying x and everyone else is saying y then there is a fair chance that the guy is not a prophet even if what he says seems fair enough.
At the same time we should never be totally closed to new or alternate views. Isn't that what happened to the dinosaurs.
Regards
Ashtree
"Any water can be made potable if you filter it through enough money"
RE: Non metallic wear rings
Johnny Pellin
RE: Non metallic wear rings
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube