Performance of Oil-Film Bearings With Abrasive-Containing Lubricant

This paper describes an experimental study of the embedability of bearing materials, i.e., the ability of bearing materials to operate on lubricants containing abrasive particles. It is found that the rate of temperature rise suffered by the bearing when abrasive-containing oil is introduced into it offers a convenient criterion for rating the embedability performance of various bearing materials. Data are presented on the effect of varying babbitt-overlay thickness and copper-lead composition of gridded surfaces and of oil grooves. Relative embedability ratings for seventeen different bearings are correlated with wear rates.