Development and Testing of New Multi-Layer Materials for Modern Engine Bearing: Part 2 - Copper-Lead- Three-Layer Bearings with Sputtered Overlay

Part 1 of the paper dealt with the development of CuSn-layers for heavy duty application engine bearings.

Another important development in this field is the use of the physical vapor deposition for the manufacture of new bearing materials. A report is presented on a sputtered overlay on an alloy base AlSn20 for steel-CuPb-three-layer bearings. It is shown from test bench results and present practical experience that the wear resistance and fatigue strength of this type of bearing surpasses that of all known bearing materials used for this function.

The process has been developed to production stage and small series are under production in a pilot plant.