GGB's Metal-Polymer Bearings for Automotive Applications
Bearing Application Requirements
To improve performance, manufacturers of automotive air conditioning HVAC compressors are constantly in the search of new solutions enabling:
- More compact designs to reduce weight for lower fuel consumption and easier installation
- Smoother operation to reduce NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) for greater customer satisfaction
- Better compatibility with new, more environmentally friendly refrigerants
- Greater suitability under low-speed idling and stop-start operation for reduced fuel consumption
GGB Automotive Bearing Solution
The structure of GGB DP31 metal polymer self-lubricating bearings consists of a strong steel backing, a sinter bronze interlayer impregnated and overlaid with an anti-friction overlay consisting of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), fluoropolymer and other performance enhancing fillers.
The design, structure and composition of DP31 self-lubricating bearings are ideally suited to HVAC compressors and have successfully replaced needle roller bearings.
GGB Automotive Bearings - Benefits
For HVAC compressors, the benefits of metal polymer GGB DP31 composite bearings include:
- Compact, weight-saving designs ; thin-wall bearings allow housing dimensions to be reduced
- Better damping and lower operating noise due to the absence of moving parts and metal-to-metal contact between the bearing and shaft.
- Conformable bearing liner for better compensation for misalignment and edge loading from shaft deflection, particularly on the pulley side
- Simpler assembly due to the absence of moving parts
- Improved reliability and self-lubrication properties during low-speed idling and stop-start operation
- Compatibility with new refrigerants
- Environmentally friendly lead-free bearing composition