Evaluation of effect of alloy elements in copper based CuSn10 and CuZn30 bearings on tribological and mechanical properties

Brass and especially bronze in copper based alloys are widely used as journal bearing material. Pure copper materials are not used as journal bearing material due to their low mechanical and hardness properties. These materials having acceptable tribological and mechanical performance give satisfactory results in journal bearings. In this study, tribological and mechanical properties of journal bearings manufactured from copper based CuSn10 bronze and CuZn30 brass were investigated. Moreover, the effect of alloy elements of Cu, Sn and Zn on tribological and mechanical properties of journal bearings was evaluated. SAE 1050 steel shaft (journal) was used as counter abrader. Wear experiments were carried out at 20 N loads, 1500 rpm for 2.5 h by using radial journal bearing wear test rig.