Title: Influence of bearing materials on plain bearing performance in low viscosity base oil lubrication

Authors: Tadashi Katafuchi, Moritsugu Kasai, Tomomi Miyaji

Addresses: Lubricants Research Laboratory, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., 24-4 Anesaki-Kaigan Ichihara-shi, Chiba, Japan. ' Lubricants Research Laboratory, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., 24-4 Anesaki-Kaigan Ichihara-shi, Chiba, Japan. ' Lubricants Research Laboratory, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., 24-4 Anesaki-Kaigan Ichihara-shi, Chiba, Japan

Abstract: Although the lowering engine oil viscosity is effective to improve the fuel efficiency of automobiles, its research has not been advanced because of the concern about a plain bearing lubrication. The plain bearing performance was evaluated with low viscosity base oils using a newly developed apparatus which enables the simulation under the automotive conditions. As a result, it was found that the friction coefficient and the contact condition between the plain bearing of Cu-Pb alloy and the shaft were different from that of Al-Si alloy. It is important to consider the plain bearing materials for the design of engine oils.

Keywords: automotive plain bearings; friction coefficient; low-viscosity base oil; bearing metal; metal-metal contact; fuel economy; base oil refinement; pollutant reduction; environmental pollution; bearing materials; oil lubrication; automobile industry; engine oils; oil design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2010.030485

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2010 Vol.4 No.2, pp.138 - 154

Published online: 18 Dec 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article