Friction and Wear Reduction of Engine Bearings with Solid Lubricant Overlay

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.