An innovative process to enable the automated manufacture of aluminium-tin alloy for machinery bearing elements

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Oiltech Bearings is a UK-based oil film bearings SME with a core project team of Dr Keith Chester (bearing business owner), Ronald Scott (metallurgist and owner, UKCAS- approved test house) and Patrick Chester (bearing designer/mechanical engineer). The international market for machinery bearings is over reliant on white metal lined bearings and for arduous applications reliant on copper-lead alloys that are environmentally damaging and are almost impossible to repair once worn. Aluminium-tin alloys offer an environmentally friendly, cost-effective alternative for use on both types of bearing but its processing systems are complex and do not allow for its use beyond thin shell bearings.Oiltech is developing an automated manufacturing system that will enable aluminium-tin alloys to be used for multiple new bearing designs and applications to the benefit of machinery-related industries worldwide. Precisely controlled aluminium-tin bulk bearing materials will enable higher operating temperatures and smaller, more energy-efficient machines and markedly faster delivery and production times at cost savings of up to 50%. The process will enable 10% energy savings in the parasitic losses for oil film bearings in machinery such as a large turbines and enable system-level OPEX savings for bearings in service.On successful completion of this project a range of other opportunities will be studied using this unique approach. Incorporation of graphene or graphite into metal matrix composites are considered to be potential applications for future development.