Originally Posted by
Roelof
It is not about needing less lubrication the whole time. At higher RPM's you do come to a limit that lubrication does not work well. We do reach that every time on the straight. Low friction materials like DLC coatings and ceramic may run on low lubrication for a short moment without damaging instantly.
Correct. But I dont think that lubrication becomes much of a problem once you start reaching the 42,000 RPM mark, hardly any engine no matter what brand doesn't see that much RPM very often. And if it does, that would most likely be it's peak on a track IMO.
In a ceramic Vs steel comparison, under the same RPM and load circumstance, the ceramic bearing does not generate as much heat caused by the load and the friction of the balls and races as it rotates compared to a steel bearing.
Ceramic materials have a much lower coefficient of friction, which means that with the same surface contact area a steel bearing has as well, the amount of friction is a lot less in the Ceramic, so with that you get a more free spinning bearing that essentially runs cooler and can spin faster and easier then the highest quality steel bearing, unless its a poorly made ceramic Vs a Swiss "ABEC 10" steel bearing!!

Plus the ceramic material is a lot lighter than steel materials which adds to reduced rotating mass!