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The behaviour of connecting rod bearings has been studied using a predictive tool which takes into account the influence of the elastic compliance of bearing and housing structure on the hydrodynamic action of the bearing. The first part of the study investigated the effects of different operating conditions on bearing performance. This analysis provided some insight to the problems experienced with some high speed engine connecting rod bearings. The study proceeded to assess the suitability of using a uni-axially loaded test rig for the simulation of bearing behaviour. Results indicated that the pinch effect on the cap half bearing increased with the bearing inertial loading, which correlated well with some of the bearing problems experienced in high speed engines. It was also shown that the behaviour of bearings was significantly influenced by the loading patterns applied to the bearings.

Because of the heavy demands placed on today's internal combustion engine bearings, there is an increasing need for quantitative data in the study of bearing performance. To this end a “Scuff/Seizure Test” has been developed which measures seizure resistance, a complex function of conformability and compatibility of the bearing system. Conformability may be defined as the system's ability to accommodate minor geometrical inaccuracies of the sliding surfaces whilst compatibility is the ability of two surfaces to be in contact without system failure. Besides the study of bearing materials the test has been applied to investigate the influences of shaft surface texture and preparation routes.