Team Synergy Coatings: Automotive Coatings for Bearings

Team Synergy Coatings Automotive Coatings Lubricating and maintaining such lubrication is critical to the life of the bearing. A bearing is designed to carry tremendous loads while also being soft enough to allow small particles to "embed" in the bearing material. The various designs of bearings all address these primary needs. In addition, a bearing is a sacrificial part; in that it is easier and less expensive to replace bearings due to wear, than to replace the crankshaft.

Team Synergy Coatings designed DFLC-402 primarily as a bearing coating. Coatings come in two basic formulations; solid film and dry film. While the two terms can be and are to a great extent interchangeable, when it comes to bearings, the differences are important. A solid film lubricant derives its name from the resin film formed during curing. This film has greater internal bond strength than the bond to the substrate, in this case the bearing. A dry film, on the other hand, has a weaker internal bond than the bond to the substrate. When these features are applied to a bearing, the dry film is superior.

Since no coating is a 100% friction-free material, some pressure will be exerted against the coatings. In a rotational application such as bearings, the coating needs to be able to minimally flake away when such pressure is reached. Otherwise, the coating can delaminate. DFLC- 402 functions in this manner. Generally, the particle size that can be removed is under 1 micron (1 x 10-3 mm). The coating is capable of withstanding pressures in excess of 350,000 psi (2.41316 x 106 kPa) while lubricating. This is well beyond the strength of the bearing itself. As pressure increases the coating actually becomes more lubricious. In addition, DFLC-402 is a "fluid retaining" material that actually holds oil in place on the bearing.

One of the most important features of DFLC-402 is its ability to maintain its full lubrication characteristics even in extremely thin films. DFLC-402 typically will be applied in a film thickness of from 0.0003" to 0.001" (7.62 x 10-3 to 2.54 x 10-2 mm). Obviously this would affect clearances when the film approaches 0.001". After checking the thickness, burnish with a 3M brand Scotchbright or similar material until the film thickness is no more than 0.0003". During running, the coating will burnish to a near "0" dimension. This characteristic allows the bearing to be run with its normal installed clearance. Other coatings that form a "harder" film will also reduce friction and provide a protective layer to the bearing; however, as these coatings begin to wear, clearances will open up. DFLC-402 does not have this problem.

Due to the above features, DFLC-402 can extend the life of a bearing while reducing friction, particularly in instances where normal oil film failure could lead to bearing failure. DFLC-402 is an easy to apply, water based material that has a low cure temperature of 300oF (140oC). It can be sprayed or brushed, though a spray application is recommended for best results.

Team Synergy Coatings can increase the life and durability of these automotive and engine parts: