Delrin

[weaver_fish]

I need to make up some bushes to eliminate play between my rudder fittings on a folkboat.

Is Delrin the stuff to use - googled it and get conflicting info re: its performance underwater.

Cheers

 

[pvb]

Delrin does absorb water and will change shape slightly. The best stuff to use is supposedly UHMWPE, an engineering plastic used in lots of applications. It doesn't absorb water.

 

[Salty John]

But on the other hand Delrin has other properties that make it very suitable as a bearing material and it seems to be the plastic of choice for this application.
It does absorb water, up to 1% by weight, but compare that to nylon at 8%.
I think I'd be concerned using Delrin ball bearings in a submerged situation because of the potential for jamming but I'd be relaxed about using it for a bushing of fairly loose tolerance.

 

[ERICH]

Delrin is the trade name for polyacetal plastic from DuPont and I have used it for rudder bearings in my Hunter 27 though it only lasts 3 or 4 seasons

There was a similar question to this on the forum only 2 or 3 weeks ago , suggest you do a search . I suggested (no connection)Vesconite HiLub plastic as being suitable for this application
contact Vesco Plastics on # 0800731 9745 www.vesconite.com email ian@vesconite.com

good luck !

 

[seaesta]

I have some Pomalux left over from a previous job. This is the absolute top grade stuff. Send me a private message if interested
cheers
Martin

 

[kengill]

Naval Bronze is the material to use. Doesn't absorb any water. remember to earth bond it.