Advanced Bearing Design for Gas- and Alternative Fuel Engines

Gas engine development moves progressively forward not only in direction of fuel efficiency and power density but also in using alternative gases and fuels. For bearings and bushings this means that they will experience more severe operating conditions with respect to load, cavitation, corrosion and wear. According to the demand for increased performance, bearings with hard surfaces — with sputtered overlays — have been installed and have now served for several thousand hours of operation. These bearing types offer not only high load carrying capability and wear resistance but in addition show increased corrosion and cavitation stability which results in an extraordinary life expectancy.