Tribological performance of tin-based overlay plated engine bearing materials

Abstract A block-on-ring test setup is employed to investigate tribological performance of Sn-based overlay plated bearing materials under mixed and boundary lubrication condition. Pb-containing bearing material is also studied as a reference. Sn-based and Pb-based overlays have shown similar transition in friction when rotational speed is varied. Under relatively longer test duration, Sn-based overlays exhibit comparable friction and wear properties with that of Pb-based overlay. It takes longer time to obtain steady-state friction for Sn-based overlay than Pb-based overlay. Wear behavior of tested samples are also similar except for tests in the mixed lubrication regime where Sn-based overlays show better wear resistance. In the Sn-based overlays main wear mechanisms are adhesive and abrasive wear leading to exposure of the Ni interlayer.