Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material which is to be used in sliding bearings and comprises a metallic support (1) and at least one reinforcement material having an open structure (2). Said support (1) and reinforcement material (2) are connected to each other by means of a metallic connection. An overlay (4) which is a polyethylene(PE)-based layer is provided on the reinforcement material (2) as an additional layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a self-lubricating bearing as a laminate of a metallic substrate and a series of raised structures formed integrally therewith and extending orthogonally therefrom. A fluoropolymer sliding or bearing layer is superposed with the substrate, with the raised structures embedded therein. The raised structures serve to hold the bearing layer in place to help prevent it from sliding along the surface of substrate during bearing operation. This anchorage to the substrate enables a relatively thick bearing layer to be utilized to relatively reduce tendency to creep. Alternatively, the structures provide a bearing fabricated according to the disclosed method having a relatively thin load bearing layer with a relatively constant friction coefficient over its life, with the structures acting as thermal and electrical bridges for relatively high heat and electrical conductivity between the substrate and a supported article such as a rotating shaft.

Abstract: A mounted piston ring for a piston/cylinder unit. The piston ring covers a circumferential surface of the piston and seals it off from the cylinder. The piston ring has a width which is greater than the height of the circumferential surface, so that there is an axially projecting length of the piston ring relative to the piston. This axially projecting length is shaped into a spring end which is axially supported on a top side of the piston. One spring end having a circular-arc-shaped transition which is designed to be between 90° and 180°, and which spring end comes to bear on the first top side of the piston. The other spring end having an annular bearing surface, comes to bear in the region of the opposite second top side of the piston. In this region the other spring end, with respect to the shaping angle, is adapted to the angle between the circumferential surface and the second top side.

Abstract: A self-lubricating bearing is fabricated as a laminate of a metallic substrate and a series of raised structures formed integrally therewith and extending orthogonally therefrom. A fluoropolymer sliding or bearing layer is superposed with the substrate, with the raised structures embedded therein. The raised structures serve to hold the bearing layer in place to help prevent it from sliding along the surface of substrate during bearing operation. This anchorage to the substrate enables a relatively thick bearing layer to be utilized to relatively reduce tendency to creep. Alternatively, the structures provide a bearing having a relatively thin load bearing layer with a relatively constant friction coefficient over its life, with the structures acting as thermal and electrical bridges for relatively high heat and electrical conductivity between the substrate and a supported article such as a rotating shaft. The structures also may be in direct contact with the supported article to help prevent bedding-in.