Carbon materials are some of the most versatile in the industrial world, offering everything from brush-level softness to near-ceramic grades of hardness. Bushings are designed for wear and tear, absorbing the abrasion and shocks of normal use while keeping a transfer pump’s shafting pristine. Carbon bushing has a particular advantage due to its self-lubricating properties, greatly reducing necessary maintenance while still protecting expensive pump components.
Traits of Carbon Bushing
Carbon bushings are alloys made from graphite and metal and are found in many mag drive pumps due to their versatility. They do not shrink, swell, or cold flow and can survive in harsh environments, including:
- Dusty Atmospheres
- Liquid Submersion
- High Temperatures
- Corrosive Environments
A carbon bushing’s load rating is different from a typical rolling element bearing, factoring in both the speed and load of the system as well as its environment.
On transfer pumps like the TE-5S-MD 1 Phase Magnetic Drive Pump, the carbon bushing is held in its housing with an interference fit. This interference fit helps account for the difference in thermal expansion rates – carbon bushing has a much lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the housing materials.
Advantages of Carbon Bushings on Mag Drive Pumps
The alloy nature of carbon bushing delivers the strength for industrial-grade work while the graphite offers a constant lubrication without ever needing to grease or oil the pump. A thin film of graphite is deposited on the shaft, reducing friction while the metal portion of the bushing absorbs and dissipates the heat.
One of the biggest advantages of going with a carbon bushing on a transfer pump can be seen in its high temperature limits. While thermoplastics have advanced in recent years, they still are often destroyed if a pump has been run dry while carbon bushing allows a pump to be put back to use almost immediately after a dry run.
The resistance to chemicals and oxidation makes carbon bushing a necessity for most chemical pumps as well. And when the time comes to replace a worn bushing, we already have you covered with our blog post on how to replace mag drive pump bushings.
Learn More About Carbon Bushing
It can be tough to take in all of the benefits of carbon bushing in just one go, so to recap: they are self-lubricating, feature a low coefficient of friction, are resistant to chemicals and corrosion, have a low coefficient of thermal expansion as well as a high temperature resistance, and they respond remarkably well to thermal shocks while offering a dependable mechanical strength.
If you still have questions about the benefits of carbon bushing on your mag drive pumps, contact March Pumps online or by phone at (847) 729-5300.