A bearing element may include an overlay layer which forms a bearing surface against a steel journal or the like. The overlay layer may be formed from a bearing material comprising a polymer matrix of polyamide-imide polymer material, melamine cyanurate particulate, and metal oxide particulate. A method of forming the bearing element comprising the bearing material are also provided.

A strut bearing including a housing including a top piece and a bottom piece, and a plurality of low friction components each comprising a low friction layer comprising a low friction material, wherein the plurality of low friction components are bonded to the top piece or the bottom piece of the housing.

Provided is a sliding member for a journal bearing. The sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer, and has a partially cylindrical shape. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and has a sliding surface. The sliding layer has a linear expansion coefficient KS in a direction parallel to a circumferential direction of the sliding member, a linear expansion coefficient KJ in a direction parallel to a center axis direction of the sliding member, and a linear expansion coefficient KT in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and the linear expansion coefficients KS, KJ, and KT satisfy the following relations (1) and (2): Relation (1): 1.1≤KS/KJ≤2; and Relation (2): 1.3≤KT/{(KS+KJ)/2}≤2.5.

Provided is a sliding member for a thrust bearing. The sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer, and has a partially annular shape. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and has a sliding surface. In a center line region of the sliding layer, the sliding layer has a linear expansion coefficient KS in a direction parallel to a circumferential direction of the sliding member, a linear expansion coefficient KJ in a direction parallel to a radial direction of the sliding member, and a linear expansion coefficient KT in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and the linear expansion coefficients KS, KJ, and KT satisfy the following relations (1) and (2): Relation (1): 1.1≤KS/KJ≤2; and Relation (2): 1.3≤KT/{(KS+KJ)/2}≤2.5.

A bearing material may include a matrix of polyamide-imide polymer material, and a solid lubricant particulate. The solid lubricant particulate may have a median particle size of less than 1 micrometre.

A sliding member includes a back-metal layer and a sliding layer on the back-metal layer, and the sliding layer has a sliding surface. The sliding layer includes a synthetic resin and fibrous particles dispersed in the synthetic resin. A volume ratio of the fibrous particles in the sliding layer is 1 to 15%, and the fibrous particles are made of semi-graphite having a nano indenter hardness of 1000 to 5000 MPa. An average aspect ratio of the fibrous particles is not less than 5, where an aspect ratio is defined as a ratio of a major axis to a minor axis of the fibrous particle viewed from the sliding surface. An average grain size of the fibrous particles in cross-sectional view perpendicular to the sliding surface is 5 to 50 μm.

Bearings with visually distinct wear indicators are disclosed. An example bearing disclosed herein includes a movable portion, a race to receive the movable portion along a first surface to thereby permit movement of the movable portion within the race, and a liner disposed on the first surface of the race, the liner having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer disposed on top of the second layer, the first layer visually distinctive from the second layer.

A slide bearing in the present invention is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an inner peripheral surface sliding along an axis, the slide bearing includes: a first groove in which the extension direction is a direction having a component in a circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface; and at least two second grooves that are branched from the first groove and in which the extension directions are directions each having a component in an axial direction at least within a predetermined range from the first groove. Within a predetermined range from an end opposite to the first groove of the second groove, the width or the depth gradually decreases toward the end.

An assembly including an inner member; an outer member; and a bearing including a bearing sidewall including a flat portion, a first convex axial end, and a second convex axial end, where at least one of the inner member or the outer member is adapted to axially translate relative to the bearing, and where at least one of the first convex axial end or the second convex axial end is adapted to induce formation of a film on the bearing sidewall during the axial translation of at least one of the inner member or the outer member.

A sliding element for an engine may include a polymer-based overlay layer and a metallic substrate. The polymer-based overlay layer may include a polymer-based matrix, a metal particulate, and a pigment. The pigment may have a hardness of at least 4 on the Mohs hardness scale.