A New Aluminum-Lead Bearing Material for Automotive Engine Service

A new aluminum-lead bearing material and manufacturing technology are described. Metallurgical process difficulties associated with the aluminum-lead alloy system are overcome by the use of powder metallurgy methods. Alloy powder atomizing, multilayer powder rolling and roll-cladding processes are combined into a commercially practical manufacturing system.

Bearing test data show that the new material is superior to the standard SAE bimetal aluminum-base alloy in fatigue and wear resistance. Successful performance in automotive crankshaft bearings is demonstrated in engine dynamometer and vehicle tests.