POT Bearings MSM® Spherical Bearings

MSM® = Maurer Sliding Material

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 1 of 8


The construction principle of a pot bearing corresponds to a
The construction principle of a spherical bearing
fixed bearing and thus allows rotations around any horizontal corresponds to a generally mobile bearing and thus allows
axis (point tilting) by shear deformation of an elastomer pad rotations around any axis (point tilting) by sliding motions
Construction principle and Design

included in a steel pot. between base plates and spherical cap.

The used elastomer keeps its volume constant under allround
A unilaterally mobile spherical bearing becomes a
compressions and thus is incompressible. generally mobile spherical bearing by the arrangement of

By providing a sliding plate a fixed bearing becomes a restraints, and a fixed spherical bearing by attachment of a
generally mobile one and/or by additional attachment of a stop ring.
guide stop a unidirectional mobile pot sliding bearing.
A MSM® disc is inserted into the spherically machined

Therefore a PTFE disc as a sliding material is inserted into the out surface of the base plate.
top of the pot cover.
The hard-chrome plated lower surface of the spherical cap
serves as sliding surface.

A further MSM® disc is inserted into the flat top of the
spherical cap, which slides on an austenitic, chromenickel-
alloyed steel sheet, which is connected shear-resistantly to
the sliding plate.

Due to the all round embedding of the elastomer pad the
The spherical bearing allows rotational movements of the
characteristics of the rubber, which is ideal for bearing superstructure by a sliding displacement of the spherical
constructions, are suitable for high loads. cap in the concavely shaped base plate.

A vital point is the functionability of the seal. The patented
Thus the construction principle of a ball and socket joint
PTFE/carbon seal used by Maurer Söhne is suitable even is realized in the spherical bearing, which allows rotations
for larger imposed load rotations which occur with steel with low resistance.
and railway bridges.
Rotational movements of the superstructure in x- and y-
Function

The twisting of the bearing is rendered possible by an elastic direction are taken up in the even sliding surface between
shear deformation within the pad. sliding plate and spherical cap.

Due to the resulting strain, which depends on the size of
rotation, the permissible angle of rotation must be limited.

With increasing rotation the restoring moment rises. Larger
angles of rotation require additional constructive measures
when sealing the annular gap.

The pot’s dimensions in the layout result from the permissible
compressions in the elastomer and the adjacent components.

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 2 of 8


With an elastomeric pressure of 30N/mm² the friction of the
With MSM® as the sliding material the following formula
sliding part is negatively affected. It is calculated for PTFE of the friction is used:
Flat sliding part

with
µ=1,6/(15+σ
σm)>0,2, µ = 0,02.
µ=1,2/(10+σ
σm), µ=1,2/(10+30) = 0,03.
With this, the horizontal friction forces are 30% less than for
From friction coming forces have to be absorbed on the fixed bridge POT bearings.
axis.
More economic design of the fixed axis!

PTFE PolyteTraFluorEthylen after opening the test bearing MSM® Maurer Sliding Material after opening the test bearing

PTFE -sheet stainless steel sheet MSM® -sheet stainless steel sheet

In contrast to this, the photos of the PTFE clearly show abrasion of Photos of an MSM® -sheet (left) and a stainless steel sheet (right),
the material. These photos were taken also at the MPA Stuttgart, after taken after opening the test bearing and after completion of the
completion of the 10-km-long term test according to EN 1337-2. 50-km-long term test. Little scars can be found (also at the
bottom of the dimples), but no wear.

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 3 of 8


Allowable characteristic contact pressures for Maurer sliding
material MSM® and for PTFE (bridge bearing qualities) in
dependence of the temperature.

Supposable maximum coefficients of friction for Maurer sliding

material MSM® and PTFE (bridge bearing qualities) at a contact
pressure equal or more than it's design value (60 MPa for
MSM® and 30 MPa for PTFE) in dependence of the
temperature.

Maximum static and dynamic coefficients of friction in the

different temperature phases of test parts 1 to 5 of a sliding test
with MSM® (Ø 75 mm x 8.1 mm, with impressed dimples, depth
of the recess t1 = 5 mm) and austenitic steel as mating surface,
lubri-cated with silicon grease 300 medium (bridge bearing
qualities) at the contact pressure of 30 MPa.

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 4 of 8

 MSM® Maurer Sliding Material in comparison to PTFE PolyteTraFluorEthylen (Teflon)

In the ETA (European Technical Approval: ETA-06/0131) and the German Type Approval it is mentioned that the MSM® is especially
suitable for structures of high speed railways, as the MSM® is extremely wear resistant with respect to sudden rapid displacements and big
accumulated displacement paths. The MSM® was tested by the independent third party (MPA Stuttgart = Material Testing Institute of
University Stuttgart).
MSM® can display the total band width of its superior material characteristics in the spherical bearing, facilitating a more economic
production as compared to (necessarily larger) pot sliding bearings or elastomeric sliding bearings.

MSM® is a thermoplast without environmentally hazardous components, like for example fluorine or chlorine (Expertise of
the Stuttgart University in respect to the chemical stability and environmental suitability).

MSM® is particularly suited for high speed motions. [In comparison to PTFE, it displays less wear at a 7.5-fold displacement
speed.].
MSM® can take high loads. [In comparison to PTFE double contact pressure.]
Sliding material

MSM® causes little friction. At –10 °C the coefficient of friction is 2 % [PTFE 3%]. At –35 °C the coefficient of friction
remains below 3 %. [PTFE is not suited for continuously low or high temperature.]

MSM® tested by temperature up 80° (MPA Stuttgart = Material Testing Institute of University Stuttgart.)

MSM® reaches a very long service life. [5-fold accumulated sliding displacement as compared to PTFE, without visible signs
of wear.]

MSM® is an innovative sliding material for bridge sliding bearings.

MSM® is also suitable for other applications, such as incremental launch bearings, earth quake devices, or sliding bearings in
buildings.

MSM® is a modified polyethylene, featuring enhanced sliding characteristics and an increased load bearing capacity by means of
blending with various additives.

MSM® contains no filling material or regenerated material.

MSM® stands for MAURER Sliding Material. The name is a registered brand name. And is exclusively produced for Maurer
Söhne.

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 5 of 8


Unmatched at high performance requirements At extreme strains (e.g. high speed motions, high contact pressures, high
accumulated sliding displacements, low temperatures), MSM® is the only sliding material that matches all performance
requirements. Thus, MSM® fills a gap in particular in high speed railway bridges, soft structures and bridges with high traffic
loads or long span widths.

Smaller dimensions Due to the double as high design contact pressure that MSM® employs in comparison to PTFE, MSM®
Spherical Bearings need only be dimensioned half their size.

Spherical Bearings instead of Pot Bearings Because the MSM® Spherical Bearing is smaller, in many cases it is also more
economical to manufacture as a (necessarily larger) sliding pot bearing or sliding elastomeric bearing.

More economical construction method The smaller dimensions facilitate more slender and thus more economical constructions
due to enormous savings in material.

More architectonical degrees of freedom Smaller bearings enable architectonical degrees of freedom.

40-fold increased service life In considering all material characteristics and advantages, compared to PTFE MSM® employs a
minimum 40 -fold increased life time. This leads to considerably reduced maintenance costs, and thus in long term to enormous
cost savings.
Conclusion: Compared to PTFE, the new sliding material MSM® displays many advantages, and even if not taking advantage of its
additional performance characteristics, MSM® is neutral in respect to costs.

Lifetime of Pot Bearings is defined with the wear of the sealing around
Spherical bearings need no sealing of the rotation part.
the elastomeric pad.
The same sliding material is used for translation and

Brass sealings lifetime is confirmed with approval tests of one rotation part, namely MSM® (Maurer Sliding Material).
MSM® passed during the necessary type approval tests an
internal Sealing

1 km sliding path,


for POM (polyoxymethylene) sealings with two 2 km sliding accumulated sliding path of 50 km, without any
path. After this distance, the sealing were wear out. significant wear.

Carbon filled PTFE MAURER use this kind of sealing in the
production of MAURER POT Bearings.
With this, the lifetime of bearings rotation part is much longer
Because of the relatively high wear of brass sealings, this type is not than for pot bearings.
permitted for railway bridges. min. 25 times higher!!!

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 6 of 8


If the elastomeric pad is deformed with the structure rotation,
Spherical bearings do not have restoring moments, if they
the pad works like a spring and produces a so called „restoring are in rest.
moment“.
Only during rotation they produce a rotation moment,

For sliding pot bearings this moment has to be accepted by the coming from friction, which is to accept with the sliding
sliding material. The restoring moment occurs not only during material.
rotation, it is still present as long as the pad is deformed.
With an geometric ratio of R/D = 1,3 is the moment
Restoring moments

(V=10000kN, 0.75% rotation):

Thus, the restoring moment is a relevant factor of the boarder wear of
the sliding material.
For a pot bearing with a vertical load of 10000kN and 0.75% rotation
the restoring moment is calculated as follows:

Me.d = 0,188 x a³ x (F0+(F1xφ1)+(F2xφ2)) = 0,188x 330³ x M = V x µ x R = 10000 x 0,02 x 500

(0,01+(1x0,05)+(5x0,025))
M = 1,0 E5 Nmm
Me.d = 1,25 E6 kNmm
It’s 12,5 times smaller then by POT-Bearing!!

Because of the above mentioned points, a replacement of the
The high wear resistance of MSM® in the flat and curved
pot bearings after 15 - 20 years have to be planned financially. sliding area raises the life time of the bearing on the
Lifetime

level of the bridge itself.

A budget for replacement costs is not necessary.

Because there is no possibility to inspect the elastomeric pad

sealing, a statement about completed bearing condition is not
Condition of the flat and curved sliding area could be
Installation and

possible during the cyclical structure inspections. inspected and examined from outside.
Inspection

Only with measurement of the tilting gap is an assumption of
With this an analysis and forecast of the bearing wear is
the sealing possible. possible.

A wear forecast is impossible.

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 7 of 8


With the higher wear an inspection with the usual intevals is
Because of the high lifetime of MSM® it is possible to
Maintenance

recommended. After 20 years a replacement has to be enlarge the inspection intervals. This is cost safing. A
Frequency

estimated. replacement of the bearings during bridge life is not

expected.

The results with respect to the load bearing capacity, tribology and ageing show the usability of Maurer Sliding Material MSM® at
temperatures up to +70 °C, which does not apply for PTFE.
(MPA Stuttgart = Material Testing Institute of University Stuttgart)

The assumed working life of 50 years is based on the assumptions of a maximum accumulated sliding path of c · 50 000 m and a
maximum of 15 mm/sec of average sliding speed in the main sliding surfaces (for PTFE acc. EN 1337-2:2004 c · 10 000 m and 2
mm/sec), where c (c ≥ 1) is a factor to correct the difference between the constant amplitude slide path used in the approval tests and the
variable amplitude movements which occur due to traffic.
ETA-06/0131 (European Technical Approval) approved by the EOTA
(European Organization for Technical Approvals, 2.2.9 Displacement capacity,
Page 12)

Approvals and Literature

 ETA-06/0131 (European Technical Approval) approved by the EOTA (European Organization for Technical Approvals)
 Technical Approvals by German Institute for Civil Engineering (Deutsches Institute für Bautechnik in Berlin.
 Tests by MPA Stuttgart the independent third party (MPA Stuttgart = Material Testing Institute of University Stuttgart) to get the approval.
 Type approval pot or spherical bearings MSM® respectively
 German Type Approval (No. Z-16.4-436)
 European Standard Norm EN1337-2 / EN1337-5
 Maurer Soehne Brochures

MAURER SOEHNE, Eng. Raad Hamood page 8 of 8