Survey of Materials for High-Temperature Bearing and Sliding Applications

Abstract:
A few general classes of high-temperature materials have shown promise in actual bearings. For rolling-contact conditions, cemented carbides and cobalt-base superalloys appear promising to at least 1300 F. For sliding conditions, the selection of materials is wider, including nickel-base and cobalt-base superalloys, cemented carbides, some cermets, and a few pure ceramics. Most of these materials have some merit for use to 1500 F. For higher temperatures, refractory metals and their alloys have been considered but their poor oxidation resistance and sensitivity to embrittlement constitute serious drawbacks to their use. For temperatures above 2000 F, indications are that intermetallics, graphite, and some ceramics should be considered for potential bearing applications. Above 3000 F, graphite, at present, appears to be the only material suitable for sliding-contact applications.