Abstract:
A multilayer sliding bearing includes a rigid metal backing (12) having a metal bearing liner (14) attached thereto. The metal bearing liner includes a metal bearing liner layer (16) which is attached to the bearing surface of the metal backing layer and at least one metal overplate layer deposited over an outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer. The metal bearing liner layer has a layer (30) of hard particles embedded in an outer surface thereof which is adjacent to the inner surface of the at least one metal overplate layer. The bearing may also include a barrier layer (22) interposed between the metal bearing liner layer and the metal over plate layer to inhibit diffusion therebetween and/or promote adhesion of the metal over plate layer to the metal bearing liner layer. The invention may also include a thin metal protective coating layer (28) over the outer surface of the bearing liner and backing layer. The invention also includes a method of making a multilayer sliding bearing which includes the steps of fabricating a metal backing layer having a bearing surface, attaching a metal bearing liner layer having an outer surface to the bearing surface of the metal backing layer, embedding a layer of hard particles in the outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer and depositing at least one metal overplate layer over the outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer. The method may also include a step of depositing a barrier layer over the outer surface of the metal bearing liner layer prior to depositing the metal overplate layer.
Abstract:
A sliding element 20, such as a bushing or bearing, includes a sintered powder metal base 24 deposited on a steel backing 22. The base 24 includes a tin, bismuth, first hard particles 40, such as Fe 3 P and MoSi 2 , and a balance of copper. In one embodiment, a tin overplate 26 is applied to the base 24. A nickel barrier layer 42 can be disposed between the base 24 and the tin overplate 26, and a tin-nickel intermediate layer 44 between the nickel barrier layer 42 and the tin overplate 26. In another embodiment, the sliding element 20 includes either a sputter coating 30 of aluminum or a polymer coating 28 disposed directly on the base 24. The polymer coating 28 includes second hard particles 48, such as Fe 2 0 3 . The polymer coating 28 together with the base 24 provides exceptional wear resistance over time.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus utilizing at least one conformable anode (40) in a plating process to apply a plating to an article (10). A wire or other material suitable for an anode is shaped to conform to the approximate shape of a region of the article to be coated. The anode is powered by an electrical power source (44), and the article serves as the cathode. The anode and article are both immersed in a plating bath (38). The article and anode are rotated relative to one another about a central axis (22) of the article. The relative movement between the anode and the article causes a uniform plating (46) to be applied to selected regions of the article that pass the anode. Another anode (50) can be arranged in fixed relation with the article to cause plating to a separate selected region of the article concurrently with the other anode.