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Oil & Gas Exploration - Subsea Energy U Joints

Exceptional Corrosion Resistance for Extreme Environments

The harsh environments of marine or underwater applications require machinery and components with exceptionally high resistance to corrosive elements.

Belden offers stainless steel universal joints and telescoping driveshafts  for such operating conditions. The yokes, pins and blocks of the universal joints are made of highly corrosion resistant 316L stainless steel. To prevent galling and improve the joints’ friction properties, pins, blocks and the yokes’ contact surfaces can be coated with layers of PTFE or MoS2. Additional protection against dirt and debris can be added by protective boots which can be also packed with Naval Grade grease.

Duplex & Super Duplex Stainless Steels

To provide higher strength and improved wear resistance, Belden’s U-joints and telescopic drive shafts can also be made from Duplex and Super Duplex Stainless steels. Belden has made complete drive shaft assemblies form S32760 (F55, 1.4501) for mechanical remote valve operation applications. 
Universal joints for use in subsea applications are often required to stay submerged in seawater for extended periods of time (~20 years) with little to no maintenance possible. Often they have to be incorporated into cathodic protection systems which can require additional measures to ensure electrical conductivity from end to end that is unaffected by coatings applied at commissioning or buildup of growth or dirt that develop over the lifetime of the system.
U-Joint diameters range from 1/2" (13 mm) to 6" (153 mm) with standard operating angles of 45°. From underwater oil field equipment to drinking water conveying systems and food processing applications, Belden’s universal joints and complete shaft assemblies are available in a variety of stainless steel grades and various hub configurations. Protective measures such as dry lubricant coatings, boots and lubricants can also be added.

Product Examples

Application Examples

  • Subsea Valve Remote Control Systems
  • ROV Tool Holders
  • Christmas Trees

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