Custom machined carbon graphite bearings for application-specific dry, lubricated, and submerged service. Specify the grade, geometry, operating duty, mating shaft, and environment through drawing review.
| Metric | Typical Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum operating temperature | No universal value; confirm the exact grade, impregnant, atmosphere, and duty cycle. | Manufacturer examples differ: Mersen lists limits for named JP options, while Toyo Tanso publishes different ranges for its own impregnated materials. |
| Pressure-velocity (PV) rating | Grade- and application-specific; this page calculates an estimate but does not pass/fail a grade. | Use projected bearing pressure and shaft surface speed, then compare with the selected manufacturer’s guidance for the actual duty. |
| Submerged service | Check porosity/impregnation and the complete fluid composition. | Some liquid-bearing designs rely on an impervious grade to support a hydrodynamic film; the impregnant must also suit the fluid. |
For a custom carbon graphite bearing quote, share the drawing and operating duty with our manufacturing team.
Source-reviewed on October 10, 2026. These boundaries support RFQ screening only.
Evidence: Mersen calculates PV from projected pressure and shaft peripheral speed, but says carbon-bearing conditions vary too widely for one universal maximum.
Action: Enter the actual journal diameter, projected pressure, and RPM; ask the chosen supplier to compare the result with the exact grade and duty.
Source: Mersen — Carbon-Graphite Solutions for Mechanical ApplicationsEvidence: Mersen lists different maximums for named impregnation options. Toyo Tanso publishes different ranges for its own mechanical-carbon materials and notes service conditions affect heat resistance.
Action: Provide continuous and peak temperatures, atmosphere, exposure time, and process fluid; verify them against the exact grade datasheet.
Source: Mersen — Carbon-Graphite Solutions for Mechanical ApplicationsEvidence: For submerged pump service, Mersen describes impervious material as important to forming the intended fluid film; impregnants also differ in chemical compatibility.
Action: List every process and cleaning fluid, concentration, temperature, and wet/dry condition, and identify the requested impregnant if known.
Source: Mersen — Carbon-Graphite Solutions for Mechanical ApplicationsEvidence: Bearing grade, operating temperature, load, dry/wet condition, shaft diameter, and running clearance all affect the bearing/shaft fit.
Action: Send the current drawing, shaft material/hardness/finish, housing fit, assembly temperature, and operating temperatures for supplier review.
Source: Metcar — The Complete Guide to Choosing Pre-Engineered Carbon Graphite Bearing AssembliesPublic references checked on October 10, 2026.
| Decision Point | Public Source | How It Is Used | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV calculation and limits | Mersen — Carbon-Graphite Solutions for Mechanical Applications | Mersen defines bearing PV using projected pressure and shaft peripheral speed, and states that varied operating conditions prevent a universal maximum load/speed value. | Use the selected grade’s guidance for the actual load, speed, lubrication, geometry, and cooling conditions. These are not CGP grade ratings. |
| Temperature examples by impregnation | Mersen — Carbon-Graphite Solutions for Mechanical Applications | Mersen lists maximum temperatures of 200°C for resin, 250°C for PTFE, and 450°C for antimony impregnation in its JP product-family chart. | These are product-family examples, not universal bearing limits; confirm the exact grade, atmosphere, exposure, and duty. |
| Temperature varies by supplier and service | Toyo Tanso — Mechanical carbon temperature FAQ | Toyo Tanso reports 250–300°C for its resin-impregnated materials and up to 500°C for metal-impregnated materials; it says heat resistance varies with use time and environment. | These ranges belong to Toyo Tanso materials; they cannot set a limit for another supplier’s bearing grade. |
| Submerged service and impregnation | Mersen — Carbon-Graphite Solutions for Mechanical Applications | Mersen explains that impregnation fills carbon-graphite porosity and identifies impervious material as important for submerged pump bearings intended to form a hydrodynamic film. | Check the complete fluid composition and the exact impregnant; no general chemical-compatibility claim is made here. |
| Grade, clearance, and counterface selection | Metcar — The Complete Guide to Choosing Pre-Engineered Carbon Graphite Bearing Assemblies | Metcar identifies operating temperature, dry running, load, and shaft bore/clearance as application-specific bearing selection inputs. | The source describes Metcar assemblies; use it as selection guidance, not as a universal fit specification. |
| Material Option | Best Fit Application | Watchouts & Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Resin-impregnated carbon graphite | A candidate for selected dry or fluid service after checking the exact grade rating and chemistry. | Temperature limits vary by supplier, resin system, atmosphere, and duty. Do not transfer another grade’s rating. |
| Metal-impregnated carbon graphite | A candidate where a named grade’s load, temperature, and fluid data match the application. | Check the specific metal impregnant for corrosion, temperature, and process-fluid compatibility. |
| Base or electrographite grade | Consider only when the exact grade data and atmosphere support the intended bearing duty. | Do not infer bearing temperature capability from bulk graphite behavior; verify oxidation, strength, and duty limits. |
Some grades can run dry in suitable conditions, but dry-running capability depends on grade, pressure, speed, temperature, counterface, and acceptable wear. Confirm the exact duty with the bearing supplier.
No. Published temperature limits are tied to a manufacturer’s grade and impregnant and to the atmosphere and exposure. Use the exact grade datasheet rather than a generic carbon or graphite value.
It multiplies projected bearing pressure by shaft peripheral speed, using the journal diameter and RPM you enter. It is an input for grade review, not a universal pass/fail threshold or a life prediction.
They are used in liquid service, but the exact fluid, concentration, temperature, and impregnant need review. Some submerged designs require an impervious grade to support a hydrodynamic film; untreated porous stock is not automatically equivalent.
Attach the current drawing and include journal diameter, bearing length, projected load/pressure, RPM, continuous and peak temperatures, atmosphere or full fluid composition, wet/dry state, shaft material and finish, fits, quantity, destination, and inspection requirements.
No. The required fit and assembly method depend on bearing geometry, housing, material grade, temperature, and operating clearance. Provide the mating dimensions and ask the supplier to confirm the installation method.
Include these details so the supplier can review grade, geometry, application fit, acceptance, packing, and export requirements.
Complete RFQs are easier to review within 1-2 business days when drawings, graphite grade, quantity, and destination are included.
