Multi-layer engine bearings and method of manufacture
AssigneeFederal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
InventorsMichael D. Lytwynec, James R. Toth, Daniel E. Dugan
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Abstract
A multilayer engine bearing (26) includes a steel backing (36) having a liner (38) of bearing metal of either copper-lead or aluminum alloys formed on the backing (36) and a thin layer (44) of either copper or nickel plated on the liner (38) to define a base lining member (40) of the bearing (26). A multilayer overplate (46) is formed on the base lining member (40) and includes an underlayer (48) of a lead-tin-copper alloy having a thickness of about 10 μm and an overlayer (50) of tin having a thickness of about 5 μm. The multilayer overplate (46) exhibits exceptional fatigue resistance under high dynamic loading conditions and retains good conformability and embedibility characteristics.
Claims4
A method of fabricating a multilayer plain engine bearing comprising the steps of:
- preparing a base lining member (40) including forming a rigid metal backing (36) and forming a liner (38) of metallic bearing material on the backing (36);
- and
- characterized by forming a multilayer overplate (46) on the base lining member (40) including forming an underlayer (48) of a lead-tin-copper alloy having a predetermined thickness of about 10 μm and forming a functional overlayer (50) of tin on the underlayer (48) having a predetermined thickness of about 5 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.