Phase 1 — Capture
Fluid enters between gear teeth on the suction side. Gear rotation creates partial vacuum that pulls fluid into the chamber.
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Complete Technical Guide · FBE Series
Operating principle, construction and viscosity-based selection. Consult FBE references, understand configuration limits and gather the data needed to specify the assembly.
Points for assessment
- FBE uses two external gears; actual flow depends on the duty point and internal slip.
- The current catalogue and MTEC-01/01 have different scopes. Check the model, speed, pressure and execution document.
- Materials, bushings, sealing and heating are defined using fluid properties and process requirements.
- Provide the complete code for replacement and confirm the proposed configuration drawing.
Complete Technical Guide · FBE Series
FBE is FB Bombas’ external gear range. Two gears carry liquid around the periphery between teeth and casing. Speed defines theoretical displacement; delivered flow also depends on internal slip, viscosity and differential pressure. Consult the current catalogue and MTEC-01/01 with the complete execution code.
What is an external gear pump
An external gear pump displaces liquid using two gears that mesh together. In the FBE construction documented in MTEC-01/01, the teeth are helical, the gears are mounted one above the other, and the cast casing has integral feet and ports opposite each other at 180°.
Liquid fills the spaces between teeth and casing and travels from suction to discharge. The driving and driven gears mesh with each other; liquid moves around the periphery. Establish actual flow for the duty point. Shear, dosing and product-quality restrictions belong in the specification.
How it works — pumping cycle
The external gear pumping cycle happens in four continuous phases:
Phase 2 — Transport
Fluid is captured in spaces between teeth and casing wall. Gears rotate in opposite directions, carrying fluid in "pockets" around each gear.
Phase 3 — Meshing
At the meshing zone (where teeth meet), fluid begins to be forced toward the discharge area. The teeth form a seal between suction and discharge.
Phase 4 — Discharge
As the teeth mesh again, they displace liquid towards discharge. The phases repeat with continuous rotation. Evaluate delivered flow at actual pressure, viscosity and speed.
FBE anatomy — actual construction
Each component per the technical manual MTEC-01/01:
- Pump body
- Cast in a single piece with integrated feet for base mounting. Suction and discharge ports opposed at 180°.
- Gears
- Manufactured with external helical teeth, mounted one over the other — driving gear and driven gear.
- Shafts
- Two shafts supported by bearings, with materials defined for the configuration. Consult manual Table 6 and the supply specification.
- Bearings
- The shafts run in bushings, with the material listed in manual Table 6. A rolling bearing exists only in the version with an external bearing (manual Figure 9 and Table 15), which the catalogue lists among the accessories; confirm the arrangement for the proposed assembly.
- Sealing (front)
- Sealing at the front of the pump. The manual describes packing, mechanical seal, lip seal and a special magnetic-coupling execution. Confirm the solution and limits for each supply.
- Suction and discharge ports
- BSP threads from 1/8″ to 1″ and ANSI B16.5 150 lb flanges from 1½″ to 10″ (FBE 2026 catalogue, p. 6). Verify drilling and approved drawing.
Document references
- technical manual
- MTEC-01/01
- external gears
- FBE
- range limit; confirm model
- 22 kgf/cm²
- size and speed limits apply
- 100,000 SSU
General values published in the indicated documents. Confirm model, speed, fluid, materials and sealing; maxima are neither simultaneous nor guaranteed for every configuration.
Limits and reference documents
The documents cover different configurations and scopes. Select using the limits of the proposed model and supply:
- Sizes
- Manual: 1/8″ to 6″. The 2026 catalogue also lists the 10″ on p.6.Source: MTEC-01/01 p. 1; FBE catalogue p. 6
- Flow
- Consult the model table and curve at service speed and pressure.Source: FBE catalogue pp. 5–6; execution curve
- Discharge pressure
- Up to 22 kgf/cm² in the range envelope; lower limits depend on the model.Source: FBE catalogue p. 3 and tables pp. 5–6
- Temperature
- 10 to 500 °C for the series. Confirm execution, materials and sealing before adopting a limit.Source: FBE catalogue p. 3
- Rotation
- Up to 1,750 rpm in the range envelope; check lower size and viscosity limits.Source: FBE catalogue p. 3 and pp. 5–6; MTEC-01/01 Table 2
- Operational viscosity
- 30 to 100,000 SSU in the range envelope; limits depend on size and speed.Source: FBE Manual Table 2, pg 4
- Maximum suction pressure
- Confirm for the model, fluid, temperature and installation.Source: Data sheet and installation assessment
General values published in the indicated documents. Confirm model, speed, fluid, materials and sealing; maxima are neither simultaneous nor guaranteed for every configuration.
Viscosity-based selection table
Ranges and models transcribed from MTEC-01/01 Table 2, p. 4. Use this table for enquiry; confirm execution-specific speed, pressure and suction limits:
| SSU | rpm | Drive | Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 to 250 SSU | 1750 | Direct | 1/8″ · 1/4″ · 1/2″ · 3/4″ · 1″ · 1″ D |
| 250 to 2,500 SSU | 1150 | Direct | 1/8″ · 1/4″ · 1/2″ · 3/4″ · 1″ · 1″ D · 1½″ · 2″ · 3″ · 4″ · 5″ |
| 2,500 to 7,500 SSU | 850 | Direct | 1/2″ · 3/4″ · 1″ · 1″ D · 1½″ · 2″ · 3″ · 4″ · 5″ · 6″ |
| 7,500 to 10,000 SSU | 700 to 500 | Pulley or reducer | FBE 1.1/2" to 6" |
| 10,000 to 50,000 SSU | 500 to 300 | Pulley or reducer | FBE 1.1/2" to 6" |
| 50,000 to 100,000 SSU | 300 to 150 | Pulley or reducer | FBE 3" to 6" |
Table 2 does not list 3/8″ or 10″: assess these sizes separately. Its guidance does not replace the execution curve and table. Sources: MTEC-01/01 p. 4; FBE catalogue pp. 5–6.
Construction materials · Sealing options
Construction materials
MTEC-01/01 Table 6 lists the following casing and cover options. Internal parts have their own specifications; confirm the material list for the supply.
- Cast Iron (ASTM A48 CL30)
- Ductile Iron (ASTM A536 60-40-18)
- Carbon Steel (ASTM A216 WCB)
- Stainless Steel (ASTM A743 CF8M (316))
- Bronze (ASTM B584 C93700 (SAE J462 64))
For FBE, shaft and gear options are SAE 1045 or AISI 316L; bushing options are self-lubricating bronze, cast iron, PTFE, graphite or Babbitt metal; and relief valve options are brass or AISI 304. Specify each component in the proposal and confirm compatibility with the fluid. Availability of these options depends on the selected model and execution.
Sealing options
The manual describes packing, mechanical seal, lip seal and a special magnetic-coupling execution. Selection considers fluid, temperature, pressure and containment requirements.
- Gland packing
- The manual describes packing installed in the stuffing box, compressed by a gland and adjusted with a hexagonal nut. Confirm the material and adjustment specified for the configuration.
- Mechanical seal type 21
- The manual presents a type 21 standard seal with ceramic × graphite × Viton and an AISI 304 spring. Confirm materials, arrangement and limits for the application.
- Magnetic coupling
- Special execution described in manual section 2.7. Confirm configuration and containment requirements for the supply; naming the technology does not guarantee leak-free operation in every condition.
Ports and connections · Assembly accessories
Ports and connections
According to the FBE 2026 catalogue (p. 6), sizes from 1/8″ to 1″ have a BSP-threaded body, and sizes from 1½″ to 10″ have a body with ANSI B16.5 150 lb flanges. Check the proposal drawing and configuration before specifying mating flanges or interchangeability.
Assembly accessories
- Drive
- Electric motor or geared motor, with a flexible coupling on a metal base. Specify speed for the application.
- Coupling
- Flexible with or without spacer, FB standard or other manufacturers
- Coupling guard
- FB standard guard in carbon steel or anti-spark material
- Base
- Welded structural steel or "U" profile plate
- Nameplate
- Aluminum or stainless steel
Industrial applications
The manual and catalogue list the industries below. Each fluid needs characterization and confirmation of materials, sealing and performance; the industry name does not establish suitability for all its duties.
Chemical
Resins, paints and solvents: provide composition, concentration, temperature and cleaning agents.
Petrochemical
Oils, fuels and asphalt: describe the product, viscosity and duty point.
Pulp and paper
Identify the process liquid and characterize any particles for assessment of the configuration.
Steel
Lubrication systems: provide oil, cleanliness requirements and circuit conditions.
Mining
Define the pump duty in the mining operation and provide liquid and circuit data.
Sugar & ethanol
Molasses, syrups and vegetable oils: provide composition, temperature, viscosity and contact requirements.
Textile
Send the textile-process fluid data sheet, transfer conditions and cleaning requirements.
Pharmaceutical
Specify the formulation, material compatibility and project hygiene and cleaning requirements.
Cosmetics and home care
Cosmetics, detergents and soaps: provide formulation, viscosity and product-quality criteria after pumping.
Sanitation
Identify the treatment product, concentration and dosing or transfer conditions.
Asphalt and bitumen
Provide asphalt type, viscosity–temperature data and heating and startup conditions.
Nomenclature — how to read the FBE code
The code identifies brand, model, size and construction variant:
FBE 2" CA
- FB
- Brand (Fabricadora de Bombas)
- E
- Model: External Gear
- 2"
- Nominal diameter of suction and discharge port (inches)
Suffixes
- A
- Gear with larger diameter
- CA
- With Heating Chamber
- D
- Gear with longer length
- DA
- Gear with longer length and larger module
- M6
- Gear with module 6
- M8
- Gear with module 8
- M9
- Gear with module 9
- M12
- M12 execution code. Manual p. 4 contains a conflicting module description; confirm against the proposal drawing.
How to specify — quotation checklist
To size the correct FBE, provide the application engineer with:
- Pumped fluid (trade name or composition)
- Fluid viscosity at operating temperature (SSU, cP or cSt)
- Operating temperature (°C)
- Required flow (m³/h or L/min)
- Required differential pressure, with units, and suction and discharge conditions
- Suction pressure (if available)
- Desired material or fluid chemical compatibility
- Sealing type (packing, mechanical seal, magnetic coupling)
- Drive type (electric motor — voltage/frequency/poles — or combustion)
- Optionals: heating chamber (CA), reducer, special base
Documentation and supply scope
MTEC-01/01 documents FBE construction, materials, tables and drawings. The current catalogue adds configurations and must be checked against the proposal curve and data sheet. State test and procurement requirements; manuals and material references are not universal pump certification. Consult the certifications page to verify documents and scope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FBE Series?
FBE is FB Bombas’ external gear pump range. The catalogue presents the family and its options; the MTEC-01/01 manual contains tables and instructions for documented configurations. Size, speed, pressure, materials and sealing must be checked for the fluid and duty point.
How does an external gear pump work?
Two gears carry liquid in the spaces between the teeth and casing from inlet to discharge. Geometry defines theoretical displacement per revolution. Delivered flow also depends on speed and internal slip, which is affected by viscosity and differential pressure; it is not independent of these conditions.
For which applications should FBE be assessed?
The manual presents applications involving oils, resins, asphalt and other industrial liquids. Fluid name alone does not select a pump: provide composition, viscosity and temperature, particles, flow and pressure. Heating, materials, sealing and suction conditions form part of the assessment.
Can FBE replace an installed pump?
Feasibility depends on assessment of the equipment and installation. Send the nameplate, complete code, available drawings and duty point. The proposal must confirm performance, materials, sealing, rotation direction, connections, coupling and baseplate. Port size or the previous brand alone does not establish equivalence.
What is the difference between an external gear pump and a centrifugal pump?
External gears displace a theoretical volume per revolution; actual flow also depends on pressure, viscosity and slip. Centrifugal performance depends on its curve and the system. Compare technologies at the same duty point using fluid properties and process requirements rather than one viscosity threshold.
What viscosity range does the FBE handle?
The published envelope is 30 to 100,000 SSU, with size and speed limits. MTEC-01/01 Table 2 relates these parameters; one size’s limit does not apply to others. Provide viscosity and temperature at startup and in normal operation to verify the execution.
Which material is best for corrosive fluids?
Provide composition, concentration, temperature, contaminants and cleaning agent. Table 6 lists materials by component, not universal compatibility. Assess casing, gears, bushings and sealing together for the proposed execution.
Can the FBE pump hot asphalt?
Asphalt is listed among catalogue applications. Selection depends on the product, viscosity at pumping temperature, pressure, flow and startup conditions. Confirm the heated execution and its limits; general range temperatures do not authorize operation with any asphalt or seal.
How is FBE maintenance performed?
Use the manual and supplied equipment documents. To identify parts, send the nameplate and complete code, operating conditions and fault history. MTEC-01/01 contains sections, parts lists and drawings; confirm codes, materials, availability and intervention with support.
Can the FBE be supplied for petrochemical projects?
The catalogue lists petrochemical applications. Send the duty point and project technical and documentation requirements to assess the assembly. The proposal should identify materials, sealing, tests and documents included; separately confirm the scope of procurement registrations.
Catalogues and manuals serve different purposes
The catalogue presents the product range; the manual provides instructions and tables for documented configurations. Limits for the selected execution must be stated in the proposal and data sheet.
Sources and content review
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Documentation and next steps
Review the product documents and related applications before specifying the assembly.
Let us assess your application
Provide fluid, flow, differential pressure, temperature and viscosity at startup and during operation. For replacement, include the nameplate and installation dimensions.