Few subjects related to the design or construction of machinery are of greater importance than the subject of bearings. All classes of mechanisms have bearings of some kind and bearings that are properly designed and constructed are a necessity. As every experienced mechanic knows, a poor bearing may tie up a machine or even cause an entire plant to shut down temporarily. Owing to the importance of this subject, designers and mechanics in general should understand the fundamental principles governing bearing design and should know what approved types are in common use on different classes of machinery. This treatise deals exclusively with plain bearings, ball and roller bearings being covered in another book of this series. The types of plain bearings illustrated in a connection with the following chapters were selected to show how designs are modified to suit different conditions, and also practical methods of arranging bearings to insure adequate lubrication and thorough protection against the entrance of any foreign material liable to injure the bearing surfaces. The designs illustrated were taken from actual practice and have proved satisfactory when properly constructed and applied. This treatise contains, in addition to the features mentioned, condensed information on corn- positions of various bearing metals, their properties, the classes of service to which different bearing alloys are adapted, and the general methods of procedure in designing plain bearings to meet different service conditions.

Bearings: A Tribology Handbook is a practical guide on bearings, based on materials published in the first edition of the Tribology Handbook. The handbook has been updated matching international requirements. The book is divided in four main parts. The first part is a description of different bearing types and forms pertaining to continuous and oscillatory movements. A selection of journal and thrust bearings as to their different load capacity, performance, and special environmental conditions is explained. The second part deals with the physical properties and load capacity of plain bearings. Other kinds of bearing, such as the dry rubbing bearings; porous metal bearings; grease, wick, and drip fed journal bearings; ring and disc fed journal bearings; steady load pressure fed journal bearings; high-speed bearings; and crankshaft bearings, are considered regarding their performance, maintenance, and suitability to specific conditions. The third part focuses on one type of bearing: the rolling bearing. The selection, composition, shaft and housing design, and fitting and mounting for this type is discussed. The last part explains special bearing types such as slide bearings, instrument jewels (which are a combination of a steel pivot and a synthetic sapphire jewel), and electromagnetic bearings that are essentially powerful electromagnets. The need for surface treatments and coatings is then explained for optimum usage. The handbook is useful for design engineers, mechanical engineers, and material researchers. Mechanical, aeronautical, and automotive students; car mechanics; and those interested in machine and car maintenance will find this handbook a handy reference.