At least one bearing insert is secured within a metallic housing to form a wear resistant bearing. In operation, the bearing insert engages a journal and provides a wear-resistant surface. The housing defines a cavity for receiving the bearing insert. The cavity preferably expands radially so that the bearing insert remains secured in the cavity. The bearing insert can comprise a refractory ceramic. The bearing insert is secured within the cavity by any suitable means, such as thermal shrink-fit. A thin layer of sacrificial metal protects the bearing insert during initial start-up. The sacrificial metal wears to expose the bearing insert. Further wear exposes a larger area of the refractory bearing insert. A second bearing insert can be disposed opposite to the first so that rotating the housing can expose the second bearing insert to the journal.

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

A turbocharger includes a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, a shaft coupled to the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel, and a thrust bearing. The thrust bearing includes a loaded side and an unloaded side. The loaded side bears a majority of axial loading caused by force imbalances between the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel during engine startup. The thrust bearing restricts oil flow to the unloaded side as compared to the loaded side during engine startup.

At least one bearing insert is secured within a metallic housing to form a wear resistant bearing. In operation, the bearing insert engages a journal and provides a wear-resistant surface. The housing defines a cavity for receiving the bearing insert. The cavity preferably expands radially so that the bearing insert remains secured in the cavity. The bearing insert can comprise a refractory ceramic. The bearing insert is secured within the cavity by any suitable means, such as thermal shrink-fit. A thin layer of sacrificial metal protects the bearing insert during initial start-up. The sacrificial metal wears to expose the bearing insert. Further wear exposes a larger area of the refractory bearing insert. A second bearing insert can be disposed opposite to the first so that rotating the housing can expose the second bearing insert to the journal.

A bearing assembly is disclosed having a wearing surface formed from an alloying including tin, a wear material configured to be contacted by the wearing material during use, and the wear material having a smoothed surface. A method of providing superlubricious performance of a bearing assembly is also provided.