ToughMet Alloy Overcomes Problems Associated with Lubricated Steel Bushings in Underground Mining Equipment

摘要

Underground mining is one of the most demanding applications for bearings. No matter how corrosive the environment in a salt rpine for how wet and aggressive in a coal mine, and regardless of whether or not a maintenance schedule is strictly adhered to, bearings need to fulfill their function by ensuring low friction and minimal wear. To solve a recurring problem with steel sleeve bushings on continuous mining machines, Joy Mining Machinery switched the bushing material to Brush Wellman's unique ToughMet" alloy, a spinodal alloy of copper, nickel and tin. In the two and a half years since the initial replacement of the problematic steel bushings with the bushings made of ToughMet, there have been no reported seizures, bearing failures, or premature wear of their equipment.