Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Brass vs Aluminum

Les Newell wrote:

> Don't tell the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. They have been running
> camshafts directly in alloy heads for years.
> Aluminium can be used for bearings if you use the right grade and supply
> plenty of lubrication.

Right, if you have the budget to develop a particular application and
do the field testing to make sure it won't break down in actual use,
you can do stuff like this. But, in general, you will have to go through
many revisions before it works correctly. it is a LOT easier to just
use well-known bearing materials and have a good chance of proper
operation on the first try.

Still, I really think these things are done by plating a bearing alloy
in the aluminum bore. That is a pretty common approach, and unless you
inspect it VERY carefully, you can't detect the difference in appearance
between babbit metal and aluminum.

Jon