Search Results

High tin and aluminum alloy bearings can seize easily when used with nodular cast iron shafts. The authors have investigated the process of seizure between such nodular cast iron shafts and high tin and aluminum alloy bearings, and found that the seizures are normally caused by a combination of burrs around the graphite at the surface of the nodular cast iron shafts and abrasive aluminum debris adhering to the shaft. In an attempt to remove the burrs and abrasive aluminum debris, the authors dispersed hard particles in the alloy bearings. The new alloy used has a chemical composition of Al Si 3, Sn 10 and Pb 1.5 and, as a result bearings formed from it do not require a lead-based overlay. This arrangement provides much higher seizure resistance than overlayed copper and lead alloy bearings when used with nodular cast iron shafts. The bearings made with this alloy can be used in all engines with nodular cast iron shafts without any problems whatsoever.

Cu-Pb alloy bearings were collected from diesel engines actually operated in the United States and Japan, and a study was made of the damage to bearing overlays and linings. Results indicated exposure of compound layers produced by the diffusion of overlay components due to the complete removal of overlay from large segments of the bearing inner surface. There were many bearings in which the Pb had been last from the Cu-Pb alloy. Based on the above results, experiments were conducted in which a tester was used to recreate the damage conditions of the overlay and the lining. Then, based on observation and the results of regenerative tests, it was concluded that high temperatures and lubricating oil used over a long period had a great impact on damage.

Aluminum alloy bearing with overlay, which was developed for automotive engine bearing material, has both advantages of conventional aluminum bearing and copper-lead bearing with overlay. This new bearing consists of four(4) layers of tin overlay, nickel intermediate layer, aluminum alloy lining and back steel. This paper reports that seizure, fatigue and wear resistance are improved in order to prevent nickel exposure which may easily seize on the entire sliding surface from the interface structure between the overlay and aluminum alloy and maintain low tin-nickel compound creation which is prepared by the intermediate layer due to heat from the overlay plating bath; which is also examined.

Recent diesel engines require higher performance and longer life. Due to high cylinder pressure, the operating load and temperature of piston pin bushings has become severe. Therefore, high load capacity and wear and corrosion resistance are required for piston pin bushings. To improve the corrosion resistance of copper bushing material, we studied the effects of adding elements to copper alloy. We found that the addition of nickel to copper reduces the sulfide corrosion of copper alloys. In addition, we were able to conclude that copper-nickel alloys can be produced by conventional sintering methods. We also attempted to improve wear resistance by adding hard particles into the copper matrix. The primary goal of the study was to determine the effects of hard particles on wear resistance and the machining process. We found that when a sort of hard particles are added to the copper matrix, the wear resistance improves, but the new matrix is more difficult to machine.

In recent years, engines equipped with idle reduction system for fuel saving have been increased in Europe and Japan. Because of the start-stop frequency increase, correspondingly crankshaft and engine bearing contacts also increase. The friction between shaft and bearing is significant to reduce fuel consumption, and besides it, engine bearing wear tends to increase. Therefore, lower friction with small wear engine bearings are expected. In this paper, new developed engine bearing with solid lubricant overlay and its frictional and wear properties are reported (1). As experimental result, a bearing with MoS2 solid lubricant contained polyamide-imide resin coated overlay proved 40% less coefficient of friction, 25% less starting torque and 65% less bearing wear against conventional aluminum alloy bimetal bearing without overlay under close to the start-stop lubrication conditions by testers. Also diesel engine bench test proved less FMEP.

In a common rail type fuel injection system installed in recent diesel engines, a supply pump is needed to accumulate high pressure fuel. In this supply pump, a bushing is used for the outer cam system. The bushing is lubricated by diesel fuel with relatively low viscosity and unit load of the bushing is higher. Therefore, lubricating film thickness of the bushing is extremely thin. In order to ensure the bushing function under such severe sliding conditions, the bushing is required higher seizure resistance and higher fatigue resistance. Conventionally, lead bronze alloys are applied for the bushing material. We developed a new high performance copper alloy material without lead, which is one of substances of environmental concern. The newly developed bushing contains bismuth instead of lead for tribological component.