Elastomeric Couplings
Flexible couplings that transmit torque through an elastomeric element — Kop-Flex MAX-C resilient couplings and Morse Morflex driveshaft-style designs. The rubber element absorbs shock and misalignment without lubrication.
An elastomeric coupling puts a resilient element between two hubs, so the drive is carried through rubber or urethane in compression rather than through metal-to-metal contact. That is what makes the group non-lubricated and what lets it absorb shock and torsional vibration. Three lines are stocked here and they suit different jobs. The Kop-Flex ELASTOMERIC coupling uses a split wrap-around element that can be changed without moving either machine. The Kop-Flex MAX-C K2 is a resilient block coupling with high torque ratings for shock-loaded drives. The Morse Morflex carries the drive through neoprene biscuits in a floating center and accommodates the most angular misalignment of the three.
Also known as: elastomeric coupling, rubber couplings, resilient couplings, flexible center couplings, morflex couplings
Series in this category
Related guides: Coupling types compared, Cross-reference help
| Specification | What it means |
|---|---|
| Coupling size | The size designation, such as Morflex 502 or MAX-C 3.5, which fixes the torque rating, the bore range and the hub dimensions. |
| Torque rating | Continuous torque in lb-in or lb-ft. Morflex stock sizes are also rated in horsepower per 100 rpm, from 0.25 to 13.80. |
| Maximum bore, rigid hub and flex hub | The largest shaft each hub can be bored to. On a MAX-C K2 the rigid hub takes a larger bore than the flex hub of the same size. |
| Bore type | Finished bore with keyway, rough or plain bore for reboring, or bushed for a TAPER-LOCK or Q-D bushing on the ELASTOMERIC hubs. |
| Working angle | The angular misalignment a Morflex size is rated for continuously, 1.5 degrees on the 252 rising to 5 degrees on the 502 through 802. |
| Component type | Which part of the coupling a listing is: a center assembly, CC spacer plate, flex half, rigid hub, block set or end ring. |
| Maximum speed | The rpm limit for the size. Morflex stock sizes run from 6,500 rpm on the 252 down to 4,000 rpm on the 1002. |
No. The drive passes through the rubber or urethane element rather than through sliding metal parts, so there is nothing to grease and no cover to maintain. That is the main reason the group is chosen over a chain or gear coupling on a drive that would otherwise need a lubrication schedule.
On the Kop-Flex ELASTOMERIC coupling, yes: the element is split at the insert, wraps around the hubs and is fastened to the flanges, so it comes out and goes back without disturbing foundation bolts or alignment. A Morflex center floats between its two flanges and is exchanged the same way. A MAX-C K2 block set needs the clearance listed as its block removal dimension.
Stock sizes are rated for a continuous working angle of 1.5 degrees on the 252, 2 degrees on the 302, and 5 degrees on the 502 through 802, with parallel misalignment allowances of 0.010 to 0.045 inch. The double CC series uses two center members so four sets of biscuits share the misalignment, and the line extends to 10 degrees.
Not as a stock K2. The manufacturer excludes reciprocating engines, synchronous motors and variable frequency drives from the K2 and UB types, and where a large torsional displacement is required, and directs those drives to the engineered MAX-C CB and WB couplings, which carry rubber blocks selected for torsional stiffness.
