Hot pressed silicon nitride as a rolling bearing material—a preliminary assessment

Abstract

A simple, accelerated service-simulation test has been used to compare hotpressed silicon nitride in a preliminary manner with other materials under conditions of heavily loaded, lubricated, unlubricated and elevated temperature rolling contact. Under unlubricated ambient temperature conditions, hot-pressed silicon nitride was the best commercially available wear resistant material tested. Use of a solid lubricant eliminated the wear experienced at elevated temperature. Hot-pressed silicon nitride was not an effective rolling bearing material under heavily loaded lubricated conditions.