Champion Bearings Cut Friction in DiMora Motorcar Natalia SLS 2
Ceramics are superior to steel in harsh environments.
Palm Springs, CA (PRWEB) May 6, 2008 -- Champion Bearings, Inc., announced today that its ceramic ball bearings will be used extensively in the Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan, the $2 Million supercar from DiMora Motorcar.
"Steel ball bearings have been used in automobiles for more than a century, and they have improved a great deal over that time. We still produce steel bearings for customers who want them," said Richard Kay, CEO of Champion Bearings. "But there are inherent problems with steel bearings, from microweld adhesion to magnetic charge buildup, that require quite ingenious engineering workarounds to overcome. These problems simply don't exist when the balls are made of modern ceramics such as zirconium oxide or silicon nitrate."
The surfaces of steel balls are rough at the microscopic level. When they rub at high speed, they can wear down or generate enough heat to weld together. Lubricants such as oils or bearing grease can reduce these problems, but add their own problems in terms of leakage or contamination.
"These new ceramic bearings are far better than steel in most automotive applications," said DiMora Motorcar CEO Alfred DiMora. "They don't need grease, they run cooler, they last longer, they don't corrode, they can run at higher speeds, the list goes on and on."
In the Natalia SLS 2, Champion ceramic ball bearings will be used in the wheels, steering system, alternator, the 1200-horsepower DiMora Volcano V16 engine, and other systems where performance is critical.
"We have been looking all over the world for the absolute best Technology Partners to help us create the magnificent Natalia SLS 2," said DiMora. "We have been pleased to find many of them in the United States. It was a very pleasant surprise to find that the best ball bearings on the planet are made at the Champion Bearings factory right here in Palm Springs."
"In designing the Natalia SLS 2, DiMora Motorcar has set extremely high standards for its suppliers to meet," said Kay. "We have proven that we can deliver the high-performance bearings needed. We are proud to play an important role in this great demonstration of American automotive engineering."
About Champion Bearings
Since its founding in 1979 in Palm Springs, California, Champion Bearings has been a world leader in advanced ball bearing design and manufacture. Please visit [www.dimoramotorcar.com].
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