Flowserve ESP3 User Manual
Page 15

ESP3 USER INSTRUCTIONS ENGLISH 26999943 08-11
Page 15 of 64
3.4.6 ESP3 Bearing Materials
•
CARBON - Carbon graphite, especially developed 
for sump pump applications, is chemically inert. The 
self-lubricating properties of graphite present in 
the carbon bearings enhance its dry running 
capabilities. 
•
BRONZE - SAE 660 Bronze (grooved when 
grease lubricated). 
•
CAST IRON - ASTM A48 Class 30 iron (grooved 
when grease lubricated). 
•
RUBBER - Resilient compounded rubber, fluted to 
allow abrasives to wash away. 
•
VITON - Resilient Viton, fluted to allow handling of 
dirty corrosive liquids not able to be handled by 
carbon or rubber. 
•
TEFLON - Fiberglass & molybdenum disulphide 
filled, with low cold flow, high tensile and 
elongation characteristics. 
•
ARHT - Chemical and wear resistant bearing 
material developed by Greene, Tween & Co. 
(grooved when grease lubricated). 
 
All bearing materials are enclosed in an AISI-316 
shell (ex. Bronze, Cast Iron & ARHT). Higher 
alloys are available (grooved when grease 
lubricated). 
Figure 3-7: ESP3 Bearing selection
Bearing Material
Max Temp
Liquid Pumped
Lubricant
Shaft Material
Carbon
177˚C
350˚F
Most clean acids,
general chemicals,
water, cleaning fluids,
gasoline, kerosene, jet
fuels
External flush
Product Lube
Steel or SS 
Steel or SS 
Bronze
82˚C
180˚F
Water and compatible
liquids
External flush
Product Lube
Grease Lube
Steel only 
Steel only 
Steel only 
Cast Iron
82˚C
180˚F
Water and compatible
liquids including alkaline
caustics
External flush
Product Lube
Grease Lube
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Rubber
71˚C
160˚F
General abrasive liquids
compatible with rubber
External flush
Product Lube
SS only 
SS only 
Teflon
177˚C
350˚F
Liquid Lube
Clean acids not
compatible with carbon
External flush
Product Lube
SS only 
SS only 
Teflon
82˚C
180˚F
Grease Lube
Clean acids not
compatible with carbon
Grease
SS only
Viton
149˚C
300˚F
Dirty acids not
compatible with carbon
or rubber
External flush
Product Lube
SS only 
SS only 
ARHT
121˚C
250˚F
Liquid Lube
Dirty acids, hot water
and chemicals
compatible with PEEK
External flush
Product Lube
SS only 
SS only 
ARHT
82˚C
180˚F
Grease Lube
Dirty acids and
chemicals compatible
with PEEK
Grease
SS only
 
 
