Page 8 - Dana Glacier Bearings Materials Brochure, designed and produced by Connell Marketing Associates, UK

Material Properties

Successful application of plain bearing materials is greatly dependent on the correct
metallurgy of the bearing layer. Distribution of the alloying constituents within the matrix
is crucial to ensure the optimum balance of hard and soft phase properties.

AS15 AS1241 AS154

Composition (SAE 783) Composition (SAE 788) Composition (SAE 781)

Sn 20% Sn 12% Si 4.0%
Cu 1% Si 4% Cu 0.5%
Al remainder Cu 1% Mg 0.5%
Al remainder Al remainder

AS15 AS16 AS154
AS15 was the first commercially AS16 is a recent addition to Glacier AS154 consists of silicon in an
available aluminium - 20% tin Vandervell’s product range with aluminium matrix. Copper and
bearing material. This percentage refinements to grain structure and magnesium are also present within
addition of tin gives the alloy improved alloy strength compared the aluminium phase to strengthen
optimum seizure resistance whilst with AS15. the matrix.
still maintaining the necessary
mechanical properties. AS1241 This material is capable of high
AS1241 was developed fatigue strength and has excellent
Superior tensile strength is achieved incrementally from AS1242, a corrosion resistance. It is overlay
by cold working and annealing material capable of withstanding plated to improve its soft phase
treatments which give continuous tin higher loads without the need for properties. The overlay composition
along the aluminium grain edges but an overlay. Glacier AS1241 has a can be either lead-tin-copper or the
not along the grain faces. similar reticular tin structure to more wear resistant composite,
This strong alloy has what is known Glacier AS15 but silicon is lead-tin-alumina. AS154 is princi-
as a reticular tin structure. AS15 associated with the tin network. pally used for high performance
enjoys a wide range of applications Copper is present within the automotive, and diesel engines.
for both crankshaft and camshaft aluminium phase to strengthen
bearings, ranging from single the matrix.
cylinder compressors to commercial
vehicle diesel engines. AS1241 is used principally in
connecting rod bearings,
particularly against nodular cast
iron crankshafts as the silicon
modifies the texture of the journal
by a polishing action, thereby
improving the bearing system
compatibility.

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