Maximum allowable PV values of oilless composite bearing materials (70% epoxy-resin/30% Graphite) were measured and compared at various types of test rigs that have different contact geometry and the operating conditions. Test results showed that material failure was mainly characterized by the sharp increase in both coefficient of friction and surface temperature, and different PV values were measured under different Contact geometry. The discrepancy in measurement of PV values was analyzed in the light of theoretical frictional heating analysis. Results show that surface temperature rise depends on its contact geometry, and PV values could be overestimated in the testing conditions of high sliding velocity. Test data of different contact geometry were normalized by using a normalized contact pressure and sliding velocity; it showed a good correlation. This work suggests that normalized PV values could be more effective in evaluating bearing materials than conventional PV values for a design parameter of journal bearings.