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[May 2004]
Timken Works on Advanced Engineered Surfaces
The Timken Company (Canton, OH, USA) has been awarded its second delivery order under an existing US$20 million US Air Force contract for hybrid bearing development. The new US$2.69 million order focuses on the development of advanced engineered surfaces for bearings used in current and next generation gas turbine aircraft engines.
The order calls for Timken to develop special surface coatings that will extend bearing life by reducing friction and improving resistance to wear and corrosion under demanding engine operating conditions. The company will confirm enhanced performance characteristics through rigorous bearing testing.
Last year, Timken received its first order under the umbrella contract covering a total of US$3.27 million for advanced bearing materials development and testing. The overall US$20 million in federal funding is part of the Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engine (VAATE) program phase 1, a joint venture between the US Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA and the US aerospace industry. One of the program's goals is to increase the affordability of new turbine-propulsion technology over current designs.
After the initial stages of materials and surface development, Timken will pursue additional efforts under the general contract in modelling, testing, condition monitoring and integrated components to complete the program.
ENDS