Abstract
Silicon nitride ceramics have been applied to roller-bush- ings for diesel distributor-type fuel injection pumps in order to improve the seizure resistance. It was found that ceramic roller-bushings made it possible to improve the seizure load by more than three times as much as conventional metal roller-bushings when kerosene was used as lubricant. The ceramic roller-bushing proved to be durable under engine operating conditions. The ceramic roller-bushings developed in this study were introduced into commercial vehicles in 1998.