Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1888 — Parchment Bearings. [ARTICLE]

Parchment Bearings.

Experiments are being made on Pungum railways with axle boxes fitted with bearings of vegetable parchment in place of brass. The parchment is strongly compressed before being used; and it is thoroughly dried, t > prevent subsequent shrinkage. Wooden rings are placed on the outside of the Warings, fitting the collars of the journal. An emulsion of water and oil, and all the mineral oils, are used as lubricants. The parchment soon becomes impregnated with oil, and is able to go a long time without a renewal of lubrication. It is between the body of th? journal and the thin edge of the parchment segments that friction takes place. The claim is made that these compressed paper bearings make a tough material that is superior to metal, Such bearings are also in use in a German saw mill with satisfactory operation.