Sputter bearing overlays

Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich

Sputter overlays are deposited by Sputtering method (Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)).
Sputtering utilizes argon ions for bombarding a cathodically connected target, made of the coating material (normally Al20Sn or Al40Sn).

Sputtering process:

• Evacuation of the vacuum chamber and introduction of argon gas.
• Heating of argon, which converts to plasma state: positively charged of argon ions form).
• Etching and activation of the substrate (bearing) surface. At this stage the bearings are cathodes and the positive argon ions bombard the substrate surface and clean it. Etching and activation stage provides good adhesion of the deposit to the bearing surface.
• Ni or NiCr diffusion layer is deposited. The cathode now is a target made of Ni/NiCr. The argon ions bombard the target knocking the atoms of nickel (nickel and chromium) out from the target. The atoms moving off the target meet the substrate surface and stick to it. Thickness of the diffusion layer is 0.00004”-0.00008” (1-2 µm).
• Deposition of the overlay (Al20Sn or Al40Sn). At this stage the cathode is a target made of aluminum-tin alloy (Al20Sn or Al40Sn). Atoms of the target are knocked out by the high energy ions and deposit on the substrate surface forming AlSn overlay.
  

Sputtering method provide extremely homogeneous distribution of tin within aluminum matrix. Hardness of aluminum-tin sputter material is about 90 HV, which is three times higher than hardness of aluminum-tin alloy prepared by conventional methods (casting).
Cast copper based bearings or high strength aluminum based bearings are commonly plated by sputter overlays.
Load carrying capacity of sputter bearings is highest of all bearing materials: 14500-17400 psi (100-120 MPa).

The disadvantages of sputter bearings: high production cost (slow deposition process) and poor soft anti-friction properties (compatibility, conformability, embedability).
Improvement of anti-friction properties and cost reduction are achieved by a combination of a sputter bearing shell in the high load position (conrod) with a common tri-metal bearing shell in the less loaded position (cap).
Sputter bearings are mainly used as connecting rod bearings in highly loaded diesel engines with direct fuel injection system.

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• Bearings in internal combustion engines
• Lubrication regimes
• Hydrodynamic journal bearing
• Hydrodynamic lubrication theory
• Geometrical parameters of engine bearings
• Mechanisms of wear
• Requirements to engine bearing materials
• Engine bearing fatigue test
• Engine bearing materials
• Copper based bearing materials
• Manufacturing bi-metal strips for copper bearings
• Aluminum based bearing materials
• Continuous casting of aluminum based bearing alloys
• Manufacturing bi-metal strips for aluminum bearings
• Lead based engine bearing overlays
• Tin based engine bearing overlays
• Polymer based engine bearing overlays
• Engine bearing failure
• Selection of engine bearing materials
• Effect of low viscosity oils on engine bearings
• pMax Black™ - Strengthened Tri-metal Bearing Materials for High Performance Bearings
• U-Groove™ Modified Design of Oil Groove for High Performance Bearings
• ElliptiX™ Oil Hole of New Design for High Performance Bearings
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• RadiaLock™ - Design of Crush Height for Reliable Press Fit of High Performance Bearings
• Modern Trends In Materials For High Performance Engine Bearings
• Optimization of Clearance Design for High Performance Engine Bearings
• Camshaft Bearings
• Ecological Aspects Of Engine Bearings
• Consistency in Bearing Wall Thickness
• Soft Strength of Racing Bearings
• Effect of oil viscosity on hydrodynamic friction of engine bearings
• Bearing Materials For Race Engines
• Oil Clearance and Engine Bearings
• Polymer Coated Bearings
• Development of Performance Bearings for Race Engines of Modern Design
• Failures of Engine Bearings and their Prevention
• Engine Bearing Housing and How it Affects Engine Bearings
• Polymer Coatings for Race Engine Bearings
• Heavy Duty Engine Bearings - Materials, Geometry, Failures
• Hydrodynamic Bearing – Calculations and Design
• Geometry of Engine Bearings
• Crush Height of Engine Bearings
• Materials for Engine Bearings
• Sputtering

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