Tribological and mechanical properties of PM journal bearings

Powder materials are widely used in journal bearings since they provide a good tribological performance with journal bearings. These bearings are self-lubricated and can be used in places where no lubricating is possible. In this study, tribological and mechanical properties of copper based CuSn10, ferrous based Fe–graphite and copper+ferrous based CuSnFe–graphite bearings manufactured by powder metallurgy method have been determined and compared. Wear tests were carried out at 20 N load and 1500 rev min⁻¹ every 30 min for 2·5 h using radial journal bearing wear test rig. Hardness, tensile, compressive, bending and radial fracture mechanical tests of these bearing materials were carried out. As a result, tribological and mechanical properties improved in CuSnFe–C bearings.