Will a Simsite® impeller fit my existing pump?

Yes — Sims Pump Valve manufactures Simsite® as a fit-and-function replacement for any centrifugal pump impeller. MARITECH coordinates the drawing exchange and balance specification from Hamburg.

What is Simsite® made of?

A patented graphite combination-fiber composite, continuously interwoven and reinforced with phenolic/epoxy thermoset resin. The material is electrochemically inert — it does not corrode in seawater, brine or any oxidising marine fluid.

Is Simsite® approved by class societies?

Classification requirements depend on the vessel and application. Confirm the required approval for each conversion.

Simsite® composite vs bronze impellers: total-cost analysis

Simsite® composite impellers cost roughly 1.5–2× a bronze equivalent while avoiding the corrosion mechanisms that affect metal components without measurable corrosion — flipping the lifetime cost equation in favour of the composite for any seawater or ballast-water duty. Sims Pump Valve has manufactured Simsite® in the United States; MARITECH is the German representative.

Manufacturer-stated service life: 3–5× metal in seawater
Manufacturer-stated weight: About one sixth of bronze
Material behavior: Non-corrosive composite

Where Simsite® wins

Seawater service, ballast water, bilge, fire-fighting, brine and any duty where a bronze impeller would suffer galvanic corrosion against a stainless or duplex casing. Simsite® is electrochemically inert, so the casing's own protective coating becomes the dominant wear surface and lasts longer too.

Where bronze still makes sense

Application suitability depends on the pump design, operating medium, temperature and classification requirements. The manufacturer should confirm each conversion.

Weight & efficiency

A Simsite® impeller weighs about 30% of a bronze equivalent of the same diameter. The lower rotating mass reduces shaft loading on start-up and, in larger frame sizes, allows a smaller bearing to be specified at next overhaul.

Retrofit process

Send the bronze impeller and the OEM drawing to MARITECH in Hamburg. Sims Pump Valve produces a fit-and-function Simsite® replacement with the same hub bore, vane profile and balance class. Retrofit lead time is typically 6–10 weeks.