Investigation of the coating of hydrodynamic plain bearing contact surfaces by means of Extreme High-Speed Laser Material Deposition (EHLA)

Abstract

In the field of drive technology, plain bearings are used in almost all drives. During operation these bearings have a very low load resistance and almost no wear. However, increased mixed friction can occur during starts, stops, low speeds and/or high loads. As a result of the increasing demands on the drive systems, such as in the automotive sector with the automatic start-stop system to reduce exhaust gases or in the area of the angular force, a greater mixed friction occurs, which increases wear. Extreme High-Speed Laser Material Deposition (EHLA) is a coating process that allows the application of cor-rosion and wear protection coatings in a resource-saving and productive manner. Furthermore, alterna-tive materials and material combinations can be created. In the framework of this study two different Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) are tribologically investigated and characterized in the area of mixed friction against three friction contacts each.