Technical

Volume 1, Issue 18
bulletin
June 2002

Editorial Bearings
S. A. Farkhondeh The ever-increasing demands on better performance of
Irisl
engines, call for simpler bearings that can cope with growing
In a diesel engine, moving parts are separated from stationary
dynamic and static loads and desire for even longer service
ones by means of well-lubricated bearings. Bearings are vital
lives. Selecting bearing for a particular application requires
engine components; they are essential for smooth operation
attention to “reliability, effective life-span, maintenance and
of moving parts and need to have capacity to support design
cost”. These requirements can only met by an optimum
loads. The moving parts of an engine are supported by engine
combination of specific properties of materials and specific
structure, consisting of cylinder liners, the frame box and the
design features. Currentlyrrrttggy
the multi layered compound
bedplate. The load on engine structure varies at various crank
materials (bimetal or tri-metal) offer the right solution. Plain
angles and combustion loads. They determine how the
bearings are bimetallic, usually of steel/babbitt, steel/bronze
supports have to be designed. In a 2 stroke marine engine, the
or steel/tin-aluminum. The “bearing metal” thickness is
forces acting on crank links are generally downwards during
between 0.5 up to 3mm. An “Overlayer” of 20 ~40 µm, a soft
both scavenge/compression and combustion/expansion
and ductile coating of Lead and Tin may be applied for good
strokes, (there are instances where upward forces exist, e.g.
conformity. New bearings are covered by “flashlayer”; a few
engines coupled to C.P. propeller). The parts that support
microns of tin to prevent oxidation. ). In some bearings
such load are X-head pins, X-head shoes/guides, crank pins,
“intermediate layer” is used between main bearing metal and
main journals, and finally, the bedplate. The bearings are
overlayer to avoid diffusion. This layer is galvanicaly applied
generally plain-type shell bearings because they are cheaper,
where the load is high, i.e. cross head lower shell, (Since the
easier to make, and easier to replace. Thus the correct design
forces acting in 2-stroke engines are generally downwards,
and selection of bearing metal depends on bearing sliding
the upper shells do not need to have this layer.
surface geometry. It is obvious that the sliding surfaces Overlayer
between moving parts and supporting structure requires
Intermediate Bearing
utmost attention, for smooth and efficient running. ■ layer metal

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Backing

1 Editorial; Bearings;
2 Bearings design consideration
3 Bearings design consideration (cont…),
4 Thick wall shell bearing, thin wall shell bearing,
Shell
Backing shells are usually made of steel, which provides
mechanical stability to the bearing metal. The relatively thin
layer of bearing material on the supporting shell brings about
a substantially increased static and dynamic load-ability as
compared to a bearing made of just one metal.
Continued on page 2…

Technical bulletin Vol. 1, issue 18, June 2002, Page 1

Bearings …Continued from page 1 At this condition the shaft is said to “whirl” and excessive
vibration results. It should be noted that this phenomena is in
Bearing design
no way connected with the dynamic speed of whirl for a shaft.
To achieve design requirements, “know-how”, technology
The condition, described above is one that will not revert to
and available skill are important. Often pins and journals are
normal running or cannot be overcome by an increase in
not absolutely round, it is possible to have surface
speed. The stages at which these self-excited vibrations are
irregularities during finishing of these parts. The instruments
setup in a bearing occurs when eccentricity of shaft and
used to measure them and the probability of human error
bearing centers, which are always changing, even at low
must be considered. Standards always require the designer to
speeds, becomes constant. At this condition the whirl speed
consider such errors. Another design factor is the
becomes approximately half the speed of shaft rotation and
hydrodynamic effect of lubricating oil. As a journal rotates
pressure in the oil film around the bearing tends to increase
within a bearing it has a tendency to roll or climb within the
rapidly. In a multi-cylinder engine, there are further irregular
bearing. This tendency increases as the speed of rotation
movements due to the effect of inertia and to the composition
increases. Thus, the shaft’s load on a horizontal bearing will
of forces that rack the crankshaft sideways and invariably
act vertically downwards when the shaft is at rest, but during
influence the hydrodynamic effect. For this reason the
rotation the point of pressure will be displaced due to
modulation of such mechanisms is not as easy as for a plain
climbing effect. The angle at which this acts is known as the
normal shaft, making it a hypothetical matter for the time
pressure angle, and it is dependent upon speed of rotation.
being. Engine makers are achieving such by trying to simulate
Also, as the shaft rotates a pumping action is generated in
and study the orbital movement of the shaft and oil film. The
which oil is drawn from the lightly loaded part of a bearing to
result for every bearing differs from the result for others in the
the more heavily loaded surfaces due to wedge action. When,
same engine. Engine makers try to predict the locus of journal
speed of rotation is increased the film thickness at the loaded
centers at various loads and engine-cylinder firing. the
surfaces increases. Thus the clearance diametrically opposite
clearance and respective oil film condition (thickness), are
is reduced as the shaft center moves. Increasing the speed
called orbits.
produces a condition wherein the shaft attempts to adopt a
position of centrality. In order to sustain the loaded condition, Journal orbit
Load orbit
however it also continues wedge formation and pumping Unit clearance

action. The two conditions are in conflict thus the shaft center
whilst rotating also precesses about the bearing
Centerline. The result
is a rotating wedge.

Inlet pres.: 775mm

Iran Isfahan, Main bearing No.7, 8S70MC-C; Courtesy of B&W
Pressure built up @
1500 rpm Although there has been tremendous progress in theory, there
are cases in practice that are not in compliance with theory.
S.A. Farkhondeh, 1981 Some causes are related to the manufacturing process and
South tyneside marine
college lab reports. some are due to design tolerances that do not take into account
“Polar diagram for
Pumping effect in plain manufacturing difficulties. Clearance in is an important factor.
bearing for simple shaft" Continued on page 3…

Technical bulletin Vol. 1, issue 18, June 2002, Page 2

 The bore relief and tangential “run-out” are machined to
Bearings …Continued from page 2
prevent such effects.
Whenever the demands on a bearing‘s performance are
In cross-head bearings with oscillating movement, where the
higher than what a bimetal bearing can cope with; multilayer
full hydrostatic pumping action is not taking place the oil
compound material is needed. Because bearing metals of
distribution is assisted by oil wedge grooves. Makers’
higher strength have inferior tribology compared to those of
manuals include good information on these features.
low strength, hence an soft overlayer is applied to bimetal
material by casting, electroplating or other processes in order
to obtain a multilayer compound material with superior
properties. The design of a bearing is based on many factors
including bearing sliding surface, geometry, surface
Oil wedge Grooves,
roughness and pattern of sliding of moving parts, flow of oil in X-head bearings
for its cooling effect, and engine rating. The other factors Courtesy of B&W

pertain to production practicality for the quality required.

Bearing geometry is dependent on the function and type of The bearing material is an important factor. Using shell
lubrication of the part the bearing is going to serve. Such as a bearing for rotating parts is preferred due to simplicity of
cross-head pin with semi-rotating (oscillating) movement and manufacturing process, and their easy maintenance. There are
squeezed-film lubrication, cross-head guide linear movement, many kinds of alloys. A typical alloy is white metal:
thrust block with tilting pads or pin and journals with Chemical composition;
Sn% Sb% Cu% Cd% Ni%
rotational movement and full film hydrodynamic lubrication.
Alloy metal 83~88 7~12 3~4 0.8~1.2 0.2
The roughness of the moving parts will affect the bearing
Lead Pb is not desirable, but up to 0.2~0. 25% may be allowed.
pressure. The oil’s function apart from lubrication is to make
sure a good and effective cooling. Thus the bearing designer, Mechanical property;
Tensile st’ngth Proof Stress Elong’n Hardness Density
depending on the type of bearing, will accommodate N/mm2 N/mm2 % HB 10/250/30 Kg/m3
optimum clearance and distributing grooves in order to 87.26 64.09 11.75 28~33 7.304
achieve the required passages. The oil entering edge into the
bearing is at a place where the hydrodynamic pressure is The shell bearings in marine diesels are of thick and thin shell
equal to the minimum pressure. The bearing temperature bearings. All thick shell bearings are made of white metal.
greatly affects the fatigue strength of bearing white metal. Thin shell bearings are either white metal or tin-aluminum.
Since the bearing shells are made in halves, perfect alignment Tin-aluminum is more expensive and its load carrying
is not possible. Misalignment of shells could result in a capacity, especially with regard to fatigue strength, is higher
protruding edge, which could disturb the oil film and cause than that for white metal. Engine rating is an obvious criterion
cavitations, (although in choosing bearing types and materials. The major marine
provision is made slow-speed engine makers, MAN B&W and Wartsila NSD
by guide pins (Sulzer) use thin-shell cylindrical bearings for crosshead and
Tangential run-out
and housing crank-pin bearings. Sulzer prefers thick-shell bearings for
arrangement). main journals, while B&W uses thin shell bearing for all
SMC-C, K80MC-C, K90-98MC-C, and on some L70MC
Bore relief engines. B&W uses thick-shell bearings are used for S/K/L
Courtesy of B&W
50,60,70,80 and K/L90MC engines. Continued on page 4…

Technical bulletin Vol. 1, issue 18, June 2002, Page 3

Bearings …Continued from page 3 In this type of bearing clearances are adjusted with shims
Thick wall shell Bearings; this type of bearing has a steel back. inserted between the top and bottom shells at their mating
A preferred metal is SS400 steel of 40mm minimum thickness faces. The side clearance is preset, and fixed. It is the
according to Japan Industrial Standard, JIS G3101. summation of shell thickness, tie-bolt tension, housing bore
Chemical composition and journal tolerance.
C% Mn % P% S%
Thin wall shell bearings; unlike thick shell bearings, in this
SS400 - - Max. 0.05 Max. 0.05
type of bearing the steel back is not stiff enough to take the
load; it is provided only to accommodate the bearing metal.
Mechanical property
Min. Tensile Strength Min. The thickness of the steel back is about 2 / 2.5% up to 4% of
Yield Strength Elongation%
journal diameter. Since in this type of bearing the shell must
SS400 216 N/mm2 402~539N/mm2 23
be in absolute contact with housing (see Technical bulletin

These mechanical properties ensure required stiffness against Vol.1, issue 1), the holding cap and housing in bedplate

distortion of sliding surfaces geometry. This type of bearing actually performs the function of the steel back support.
Thus it is more reliable under higher loads. The bearing
allows simpler design and easier production procedures for
metal could be either white metal or tin-aluminum.
manufacturing bearing housings, (i.e. bearings housing in
bedplate). In engines employing this kind of shell, the bearing
top and bottom shells are hold together by between bedplate
ant bearing holding cap by means of studs. The cap is not in
touch with the bed plate, this means that the shell is exposed
and not supported for as much as 50 mm above the centerline,
Low and high; thin wall shell bearing
on both sides. Thus the steel backing is designed to support
The advantage of tin aluminum over white metal is slightly
the “cast-on” white metal.
Cap higher load-carrying capacity and its ability to maintain its
High and low; thick wall shell bearing
Stud fatigue strength at a long range of high temperatures.
Bed-
plate Generally due to its cost and availability white metal is
installed. Cap
Bed-
plate
Thick wall shell Bedplate
and cap arrangement
Courtesy of B&W

Thin wall shell bedplate and cap arrangement, Drawing: Courtesy of B&W

Technical Editor:
S. A. Farkhondeh
There have been cases, where white metal has not been able
to cope with a load. Hence the bearing shell has been
bulletin©
None registered informative monthly changed into tin aluminum. Since forces in 2 strokes engines
private Publication
are generally downward and upper shell may lightly be
Volume1 issue 18, June 2002
loaded, in order to reduce the cost only lower shell has been
Postal Address: No.214, Golestan complex, Golzar Ave., Noboniad,
Tehran-Iran changed for more expensive tin aluminum shells. ■
Tel. 0098 21 2937661
E. mail frkhndh@yahoo.com
Next Issue: Plain bearings manufacturing.

Technical bulletin Vol. 1, issue 18, June 2002, Page 4