Development of Three Layers Copper-Lead Bearings for Higher Speed Automotive Engines

As the recent automotive engines are designed for higher performance, the rotating speed of the engines have been increased drastically. Therefore the engine bearings should be further improved to have better anti-seizure and wear properties under the high temperature at the high rotating speed.

The authors have analyzed the necessary functions of the three layers copper-lead bearings at such operating conditions, and then improved and developed the overlay and the copper based bearing alloy with steel back.

Physical and chemical properties for this new bearing were studied. Then the bearing performance tests were carried out including the high speed seizure tests and engine tests.

From these test results, it was confirmed that this new bearing could be applied for the recent very high speed automotive engines.