How to Use Oil Impregnated Bearings Properly

Different industries utilise many machine components to make their machines functional. One of these components is the bearing.

A bearing is a machine component that can reduce friction between two moving parts. It can likewise restrict the relative motion of the said parts to only the desired movement. It is generally used alongside a shaft, as it supports the said component that rotates inside a machine. Most bearings can be found in automobiles, aeroplanes, electric generators, and others.

Different types of bearings are available in the market right now. But one of the bearings often maximised in specific applications is the oil-impregnated bearing.

Manufacturing the Oil-Impregnated Bearings

Oil-impregnated bearings are bearings that have the capability to self-lubricate. This property is possible since the bearings have been made through the powder metallurgy process, a process wherein parts and products are formed through heating compacted metal powders.

To produce oil-impregnated bearings, the metal powders are often gravity fed into a die set. These materials are then pressed, ensuring that they can hold together. They are subsequently bonded together in a furnace that will be later heated to a temperature below their melting point.

The impregnation of oil into the bearings is then carried out through the sintering procedure. This procedure decreases the porosity of the product since it can hold and bond the metal powders together. With a final porosity of around 25%, the oil-impregnated bearings may still possess tiny, interconnected capillaries woven throughout these products. To finish manufacturing the bearings, they must be pressed by a calibration set of tools and vacuum impregnated to effectively force oil into the interconnected capillaries.

Oil-Impregnated Bearings Proper Application

Oil-impregnated bearings eliminate the need for lubricants. They also do not need to be maintained all the time, which cannot be said with other types of bearings. The general properties of these bearings likewise make them suitable for low-to-moderate loads and applications with temperatures of around -12 to 105 degrees Celsius.

But to obtain these benefits, these bearings should be handled and used carefully.

When storing these bearings, they should be placed inside plastic resealable bags. They can also be stored in metal or other non-absorbent containers. They must also be kept at room temperature to avoid oil loss due to heat. Avoid storing them in the paper, cloth, and cardboard containers. If they have been, however, exposed to heat, the users should re-oil them before installing or using them. Re-oiling can be done by immersing the bearings in high-quality mineral oil at 60 to 70 degrees Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes and subsequently cooling them in cold oil.

Before installing the oil-impregnated bearings, users should remove all sharp edges from the mating shaft and the housing first. The bearings should then be cleaned to remove any dust and grit. These bearings can then be installed through a shouldered arbour plug placed into an arbour press. Out-of-roundness conditions on bearings can then be corrected once they are pressed into the housing. To buy these bearings, you can contact us at PM Distributors.

Different industries utilise many materials and processes to obtain their needed components and products. One of the things they consider in choosing these elements is their longevity. The overall appeal of the finished components and products is also considered when choosing the materials and processes for their production.

One process that many industries now maximise is powder metallurgy. Powder metallurgy is a manufacturing process wherein powder metals and alloys are pressed very securely into a rigid die. Afterwards, the die alongside the pressed powder metals is subjected to heat, ensuring that the powder particles can bond solidly.

Many metals can be used in powder metallurgy. Some of these metals are as follows.

Stainless Steel

One prominent powder metal today is stainless steel. Stainless steel is known for its corrosion and rust resistance, allowing products to last for a long time. The series of this material often used in powder metallurgy come from 300 and 400. The stainless steel 316L has the perfect balance of corrosion resistance, acid resistance, ductility, and toughness. These qualities make the material excellent for aerospace, automotive, medical, and ship components.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a soft and light metal that can also be used in powder metallurgy. Even though it is often combined with other materials, products with aluminium can be generated optimally as it can be easy to shape. Sintered aluminium products are also lightweight, which makes them perfect for the aerospace and automobile industries.

Titanium

When it comes to overall value, titanium is known to be the most expensive material that can be processed by powder metallurgy. This silvery material’s value is highly justified by its outstanding corrosion resistance and strength. Once turned into powder, the colour of titanium turns grey or black. Despite this change, it can remain durable and resistant to elements. The qualities of titanium make it a perfect material for processing aircraft and missile components. It can also be used for chemical processing.

Copper

Copper powder and its alloys can be utilised in applications that deal with a lot of moisture since they can withstand corrosion and rust. One copper alloy is bronze, which is often maximised in producing and generating self-lubricating bearings.

Nickel

Nickel is a silvery white metal best known for its ductility, durability, and malleability. It also has good electric and heat conductivity, allowing it to dissolve in dilute acids slowly. All these properties of nickel make it a great material for processing gas turbine and rocket engine components. Monel, which is an alloy of copper and nickel, can then withstand saltwater, making it the best material for marine vessel components.

Iron

Iron has a high melting point of 1,837 degrees Celsius. Hence, it is often sintered at 1,121 degrees Celsius to generate quality sintered components and products. The iron powder, however, is often mixed with carbon to generate steel as the former can be soft. Iron is often considered one of the most common metals in powder metallurgy as it can often be seen in many automobile parts like rotors, shafts, and rocker’s arms.

If you need sintered components and products for your industry or business, do not hesitate to contact us at PM Distributors so we can provide you with all your needs.