The Use of Powder Metallurgy for Oil Bearing Applications
The use of powder metallurgy for oil bearing applications is becoming increasingly popular in the manufacturing industry. This form of manufacturing has the potential to create components that are cost effective, strong and durable, and are capable of providing superior performance for a variety of oil bearing applications.
Powder metallurgy employs the use of metal powders combined with lubricants and binders to form components. The materials used may include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, alloys and ceramics. This process begins with the manufacturing of powder using either mechanical alloying or vapor synthesis. The powder is then formed into a desired shape by either pressing or sintering the material. After the shaping process is complete, it is necessary to finish the part by machining, grinding, welding or plating.
The advantages of using powder metallurgy for oil bearing applications can be numerous. As the parts are made from powders, they do not need to be machined to obtain a certain shape or size. This saves in both time and labor costs. The ease of production is also beneficial in that customization of components can be done quickly and at a lower cost. Powder metallurgy also creates parts that have less porosity than more traditional manufacturing methods and therefore offer superior performance in both lubricated and non-lubricated applications.
Powder metallurgy is often employed for oil bearing components such as bushings, bearings, gears and sleeves. These components need to be capable of withstanding the high friction forces associated with bearing applications as well as the corrosive nature of oil and other lubricants that are used in these applications. Components created via this method have excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance. They also tend to have a lower coefficient of friction, which allows them to maintain their original shape and performance for a longer period of time.
Powder metallurgy is a superior process for the production of oil bearing components and offers a variety of advantages over traditional manufacturing methods. It is a cost-effective method of creating components that are strong and durable and are capable of providing superior performance in oil bearing applications. As this form of manufacturing becomes increasingly popular, it is important to consider the use of powder metallurgy when sourcing material for bearing applications.
