Highly loaded bearings for vehicle engines are executed presently as tri-metal bearings. This is caused by the conflicting requirements which force to work-sharing. The increased bearing loads, caused by the intention to reduce fuel consumption and to increase engine output lead to exceeding the limits of such bearing designs. Increased wear and also increased failure-probability are the consequences. In foresight of this development the consequences were drawn in new materials. But these appear to be insufficient for the engine-development of the future. In view of these facts a new approach of work-sharing in the running surface itself was considered. Thereby the boundary friction wear was drastically reduced and also other properties could be improved. The bearing design MIBA-RILLENLAGER resulting from these considerations was successful in rig test and in practical service as solution for highly loaded bearing applications. The characteristics of these new bearing materials and design will be described herein.
