Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
  • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
  • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
  • F16C33/24—Brasses; Bushes; Linings with different areas of the sliding surface consisting of different materials
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/02—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material
  • C23C28/021—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material including at least one metal alloy layer
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/02—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material
  • C23C28/023—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material only coatings of metal elements only
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
  • C23C28/02—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material
  • C23C28/027—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material including at least one metal matrix material comprising a mixture of at least two metals or metal phases or metal matrix composites, e.g. metal matrix with embedded inorganic hard particles, CERMET, MMC.
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C30/00—Coating with metallic material characterised only by the composition of the metallic material, i.e. not characterised by the coating process
  • C23C30/005—Coating with metallic material characterised only by the composition of the metallic material, i.e. not characterised by the coating process on hard metal substrates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D7/00—Electroplating characterised by the article coated
  • C25D7/10—Bearings
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
  • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
  • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
  • F16C33/06—Sliding surface mainly made of metal
  • F16C33/12—Structural composition; Use of special materials or surface treatments, e.g. for rust-proofing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
  • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
  • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
  • F16C33/06—Sliding surface mainly made of metal
  • F16C33/12—Structural composition; Use of special materials or surface treatments, e.g. for rust-proofing
  • F16C33/122—Multilayer structures of sleeves, washers or liners
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
  • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
  • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
  • F16C33/06—Sliding surface mainly made of metal
  • F16C33/14—Special methods of manufacture; Running-in
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
  • F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
  • F16C33/38—Ball cages
  • F16C33/44—Selection of substances
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2220/00—Shaping
  • F16C2220/60—Shaping by removing material, e.g. machining
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2220/00—Shaping
  • F16C2220/60—Shaping by removing material, e.g. machining
  • F16C2220/70—Shaping by removing material, e.g. machining by grinding
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2223/00—Surface treatments; Hardening; Coating
  • F16C2223/02—Mechanical treatment, e.g. finishing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2223/00—Surface treatments; Hardening; Coating
  • F16C2223/30—Coating surfaces
  • F16C2223/32—Coating surfaces by attaching pre-existing layers, e.g. resin sheets or foils by adhesion to a substrate; Laminating
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2223/00—Surface treatments; Hardening; Coating
  • F16C2223/30—Coating surfaces
  • F16C2223/70—Coating surfaces by electroplating or electrolytic coating, e.g. anodising, galvanising

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to plain bearings and to methods of their manufacture. More particularly, the invention relates to multilayer engine bearings of the type having a metal backing on which a functional bearing layer is applied which in turn is plated with an overlay of soft metal. Most particularly, the invention relates to multilayer bearings having a functional bearing layer having a surface layer of hard particles embedded therein which is overlaid by a layer of a soft metal, and optionally, with a diffusion barrier layer between the soft metal layer and the functional bearing layer.
• Plain engine journal-type bearings for use in high load engine applications for joumaling crank shafts and the like typically include a bearing lining layer having a functional bearing layer of either copper-lead or aluminum alloys applied to a steel backing.
• a single layer of a lead-tin-copper alloy having a thickness of about 25 ⁇ m is typically overplated onto the functional layer.
• a nickel diffusion barrier or copper bonding layer is interposed between the overplate and functional layer to prevent the tin from diffusing from the overplate into the bearing layer.
• the bearing may optionally be coated with a micro-thin layer of tin or lead-tin flash plating having a thickness of about 1 ⁇ m or less.
• the flash plating is both functional and aesthetic, giving the product a protective outer layer and a bright, pleasing appearance. It also provides a level of corrosion protection to the steel backing. Within a short time during the break-in period of the engine, the flash plating applied to the running surface of the bearing is worn away by the action of the components being born by the bearing.
• the 25 ⁇ m thick single layer lead-tin-copper alloy overplate mentioned above provides excellent conformability and embedability characteristics and good fatigue resistance of typical bearing layers.
• the conventional bearings described above employing the single 25 ⁇ m thick overplate of lead-tin- copper may be prone to fatigue.
• Efforts to alleviate fatigue by simply decreasing the thickness of the single layer overplate to less than 25 ⁇ m have been generally unsuccessful, as it is at the cost of sacrificing acceptable levels of conformability and embedability.
• journal bearing that can perform under such extreme high dynamic loading conditions by providing a sufficient thicknesses of the soft overlay to promote acceptable conformability and embedability while at the same time also enabling the use of stronger more fatigue resistant bearing alloys which also possess the necessary wear properties and resistance to seizure of the bearing layer.
• the present invention is a multi-layer bearing, such as a journal bearing having a soft overplate layer which provides conformability and embedability, which also has a bearing lining which includes a layer of embedded hard particles at an outer surface thereof in order to provide improved wear performance and resistance to seizure of the bearing in operation.
• a multilayer bearing of the invention such as a sliding bearing, includes a metal backing layer having a bearing surface.
• the bearing also includes a metal bearing liner layer attached to the bearing surface of the metal backing layer which has a layer of hard particles embedded in its outer surface.
• the bearing also includes at least one metal overplate layer deposited over the outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer.
• the bearing may also optionally include a barrier layer interposed between the metal bearing liner layer and the at least one metal overplate layer for the purpose of providing a diffusion barrier there between or promoting the adhesion of the metal overplate layer to the metal bearing liner layer.
• the hard particles utilized will have a hardness greater than that of the metal bearing liner layer, preferably substantially harder than the hardness of this layer.
• the hard particles may be selected from a group consisting of pure metals and metal alloys which have a hardness greater than the hardness of the metal bearing liner layer, metal carbides, metal suicides, metal nitrides and metal borides.
• the present invention also includes a method of making a multilayer sliding bearing.
• the method includes fabricating a metal backing layer having a bearing surface.
• the method also includes a step of attaching a metal bearing liner layer having an outer surface to the bearing surface of the metal backing layer.
• the method also includes embedding a layer of hard particles in the outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer and depositing at least one metal overplate layer over the outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer after the hard particles have been embedded.
• the method may also optionally may include depositing a barrier layer over the bearing liner layer prior to depositing the metal overplate layer.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a multilayer bearing of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multilayer bearing of the present invention.
• FIG. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one embodiment of the bearing layer and overlay of the invention taken generally along line 3—3 of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line
• FIG. 3B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a second embodiment of the bearing layer and overlay of the invention taken generally along line 3—3 of
• FIG. 1 The first figure.
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line
• a multilayer bearing constructed according to the invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1 and is of the sliding type often referred to as a journal bearing or plain bearing of the type which are used in pairs between two relatively rotatable components, such as a connecting rod and crank shaft, to establish a journaled connection therebetween.
• Such multilayer bearings of the type to which the invention is directed also include multilayer bushings.
• a bearing 10 constructed according to the invention includes a rigid metal support backing 12 and a multilayer bearing liner 14 which includes multiple layers of metallic bearing material formed on the backing which collectively form the foundation of the bearing 10.
• Bearing liner 14 includes a bearing lining layer 16 which is the principal bearing material of bearing 10.
• the bacldng 12 preferably comprises an arcuate, semi-circular strip of steel having a convex outer surface 18 adapted for seating in a mating concave support structure, and an opposite concave inner surface 20 which is the bearing surface onto which the bearing liner 14 is applied.
• the bearing liner layer 16 may be formed of conventional bearing layer materials, including alloys comprising copper-lead or aluminum of conventional compositions, which may be sintered, cast, clad or otherwise formed on or bonded to the inner surface 20 according to well known practice. According to the invention, it is believed that stronger, non-conventional alloys, such as CuSn 8 Ni may also be utilized as bearing lining layer 16 within bearing liner 14. Such alloys would not normally be utilized in bearings of conventional construction, because of the possibility of bearing failure due to seizure of the bearing to the journaled component.
• Bearing liner 14 may also include a thin barrier layer or film 22 (i.e., about 1 to 2 ⁇ m thick) of either nickel or copper or other materials effective as a diffusion barrier and/or an adhesion promotion or bonding layer between the constituent materials of bearing liner layer 16 and the overplate layer 24 described below.
• the barrier layer 22 may be electroplated or otherwise deposited onto the bearing liner 14 and bearing lining layer 16 according to conventional practice.
• Bearing liner 14 also includes an overlay or overplate layer 24.
• the overplate layer 24 may be formed as a single layer of a pure metal or an alloy from conventional overplate materials, which are generally soft and ductile and provide conformability and embedability as described herein, such as PbSnCu, PbSn or PbIn alloys.
• Overlay or overplate layer 24 may be plated, including by electroplating or electroless plating, or otherwise deposited onto the bearing liner 14 and bearing lining layer 16 according to conventional practice.
• overplate layer 24 may comprise a multilayer overplate layer 24 of the types or formed by the methods described in US Patents 6,077,815; 6,086,742 ; 6,178,639 Bl; 6,227,709 Bl; 6,312,579 Bl; 6,337,145 Bl; and 6,609,830 B2; which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment according to the invention using a bearing without thrust flanges (i.e., a smooth bearing).
• the present invention may be used in bearings of similar construction with thrust flanges 26 (i.e., a flange bearing).
• Bearing liner 14 may also include a thin metal protective layer 28, such as a very thin layer of tin, to protect the bearing liner 14 and/or backing layer 12.
• a thin metal protective layer 28 such as a very thin layer of tin, to protect the bearing liner 14 and/or backing layer 12.
• overplate 24 comprises at least two layers plated from the same bath at different current densities, an outer layer and an inner layer with reference to the bearing lining layer 16.
• the outer layer may be plated at a relatively high current density to yield a relatively soft overplate layer having a thickness of about 3 to 7 ⁇ m, and preferably about 5 ⁇ .m thick to provide good conformability and embedability characteristics of the overplate.
• the inner layer may be plated at a relatively lower current density to yield a relatively harder layer than that of the outer layer having a thickness ranging from about 7 to 13 ⁇ m, and preferably about 10 ⁇ m to provide a supportive backing for the outer layer for good fatigue strength characteristics of the overplate.
• the particular two layer example described is but one of numerous variants that could be employed and are contemplated by the invention.
• the layers could, for example, be reversed such that the outer layer is harder than the inner layer or the thicknesses varied to meet the needs of a particular application.
• the common characteristic among all contemplated variants is that the multiple overplate layers are produced from the same electroplate bath and plated at different current densities to yield a composite lamellar structure having two or more layers of differing deposit characteristics, such as hardness.
• FIGS. 1, 3B and 5 a second embodiment of a bearing 10 constructed according to the invention is illustrated.
• This embodiment includes a rigid metal support backing 12 and a bearing liner 14 of metallic bearing material formed on the backing, which collectively forms the foundation of the bearing 10.
• Bearing liner 14 includes a bearing lining layer 16 which is the principal bearing material of bearing 10.
• the backing 12 preferably comprises an arcuate, semi-circular strip of steel having a convex outer surface 18 adapted for seating in a mating concave support structure, and an opposite concave inner surface 20 on which the bearing liner 14 is applied.
• This embodiment does not include a diffusion barrier.
• the overplate layer 24 may be formed as a single layer of a pure metal or an alloy from conventional overplate materials, which are generally soft and ductile and provide conformability and embedability as described herein, such as PbSnCu, PbSn or PbIn alloys.
• Overlay layer 24 may also be plated, including electroplating or electroless plating, or otherwise deposited onto the bearing liner 14 and bearing lining layer 16 according to conventional practice.
• overplate layer 24 may comprise a multilayer overplate layer
• Hard particles 32 may be any suitable hard particles 32, such as various pure metal, metal alloys, semi-metals, intermetallic compounds, metal oxides, metal nitrides, and metal carbides, including mixtures thereof. When metal or metal alloy particles are utilized, they will be harder than the material used to form bearing liner layer 16, preferably substantially harder than this material. Examples of preferred hard particles 32 are listed in Table 1.
• Hard particles 32 will preferably be selected for compatibility, including chemical, conformability and embedabirity compatibility, with respect to the bearing lining layer 16.
• the hard particles30 are preferably embedded to a depth up to 0.1 - 1 ⁇ m from outer surface 36.
• the layer 30 of hard particles 32 may be embedded using any suitable method, but will preferably be embedded by tumbling a partially completed bearing assembly comprising metal backing 12 to which bearing lining layer 16 has been bonded in a container which contains hard particles 32 selected for a given application.
• Various known tumbling media may be used to affect the impingement of the hard particles 32 on surface 36 of bearing lining layer 16 so as to cause hard particles 32 to be embedded therein forming hard particle layer 30.
• the duration, speed, size of the container and other known factors may be adjusted to vary the depth to which hard particles are embedded and the volume or weight fraction of hard particles 32 versus the metal matrix from bearing lining layer 16 within hard particle layer 30.
• a method for embedding alumina hard particles on a metal bearing surface is described in commonly assigned US Patent 5,433,531, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• the hard particles 32 will preferably comprise in the range of 0.5 - 5.0 percent of the surface area of the hard particle layer 30.
• the method of the invention may also include a step of finishing the profile of the outer surface 36 of the bearing lining layer 16 to its finished dimensions, such as by machining or grinding. It is preferred that step of finishing the profile minimize the removal of material from surface 36, so as to maintain to the maximum extent possible the thickness of hard particle layer 30.
• the method of the invention preferably includes a step of plating barrier layer 22 when barrier layer 22 is employed. This step may be preceded by a step of cleaning or degreasing the outer surface 36 of hard particle layer
• the method of the invention preferably includes a step of plating overlay or overplate layer 24.
• Materials for forming overlay layer 24 are well known, as are plating methods for forming this layer. This step may also be preceded by a step of cleaning or degreasing the outer surface 36 of hard particle layer 30 or barrier layer 22 when it is employed. Materials and methods for degreasing are well known.
• the method of the invention preferably includes a step of plating a thin layer of a protective coating 28, such as tin.
• This step may also be preceded by a step of cleaning or degreasing the outer surface of overlay layer 24. Materials and methods for degreasing are well known.
• the overplate is applied, the usual thin flash coat of tin (not shown) may be applied to the bearing 10.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Metallurgy (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• Composite Materials (AREA)
• Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
• Sliding-Contact Bearings (AREA)
• Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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Citations (3)

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• 2005
  • 2005-12-09 KR KR1020087015758A patent/KR101288336B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-12-09 WO PCT/US2005/044669 patent/WO2007067182A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-12-09 BR BRPI0520738-0A patent/BRPI0520738A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-12-09 EP EP05853553A patent/EP1957810A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-12-09 CN CNA2005800525329A patent/CN101371057A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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