Influence of lubricants on plain bearing performance: Evaluation of bearing performance with polymer-containing oils

The improvement of fuel efficiency has been required even for automotive engine oil. Polymers are wideldy to reduce the friction in hydrodynamic lubrication in engines. On the other hand, the regulation of Pb in bearing materials has begun with the goal of preventing heavy metal pollution. In order to analyze the effect of polymers with different kinds of bearing materials, the authors evaluated bearing performance using two kinds of bearings with a base oil and polymer-containing oils. It was found that the friction coefficients with a bronze bearing were significantly reduced using polymer-containing oils.

► To analyze the effect of polymers, bearing tests were performed on Babbitted and bronze bearings.
► Friction for the oils with polymer was reduced with the bronze bearing.
► Relative shaft displacement for the bronze bearing was globally larger.
► Pressures for the oils with polymer were higher than those for the base oil in both bearings.