Production and Wear Characterization of Leaded Aluminium Alloys for Sliding Bearing Applications

Abstract

Sliding bearings are normally required to operate under hydro dynamic lubrication conditions.However under certain typical conditions such as at low sliding velocities during starting or stopping and speed reversals of the engine etc. It is always not possible for fluid operation. In view of this boundary lubrication condition persist leading to instantaneous metal to metal contact and significant wear.

     The commercially, available bearings alloys incorporate either a costly base metal like Sn or Cu or substantial quantities of expensive alloying addition of Sn or Cu.

     In view of this it is proposed under this project to examine the substitute material such as Al Pb alloys for sliding bearing applications.

     Under this project leaded aluminum alloys are manufactured (with varying Pb content) and their abrasive wear behavior studied on a disc polishing machine against SiC.

     The wear behavior of these experimental alloys is investigated, as a function of grit size of abrasive particles disc speed, sliding time and sliding distance.