Substitute alloys as bearing materials

Abstract

MODERN engineering depends in many instances upon bearings, components which allow relative motion to occur between the members of a mechanism. Bearings may take many forms but the most widely used types are plain and rolling bearings.The continuous demand for better power-to-weight ratios for increased mech-anical efficiency leads to a constant demand for bea- ring materials of improved strength to operate at increased speeds under heavier loads at higher temp-eratures.Whilst the materials of construction should be as cheap as possible, an important consideration in developing countries, particularly India, is the availability of the raw materials, thus the metall- urgist must not only search for improved bearing materials but also for suitable substitute indigenous materials.