Title: Material innovation and its impact on the development of components for reciprocating engines

Authors: D.A. Parker

Addresses: Managing Director, AE Developments Ltd, Rugby, UK

Abstract: An account is given of the special techniques used to develop engine components and of their use to solve the problems arising from a hostile operating environment. It is concluded, however, that the development of special surface and substrate materials provides the most universal contribution. Recent applications to pistons include the use of alumina fibre reinforcement to prevent thermal cracking, and the development of insulating crowns. The range of piston ring coatings to reduce overall wear has recently been extended to include nitrocarburizing, which offers a cost-effective alternative to chromium plate. Valve train applications include chill cast camshafts with locally enhanced hardness and sintered valve seat inserts with solid lubricant to replace the lead in fuel. In the bearing area, developments of the aluminium silicon range of alloys have combined high strength with enhanced seizure resistance. Current developments are illustrated from the application of sputtered coatings and of ceramics.

Keywords: automotive components; engine component design; materials innovation; vehicle design; reciprocating engines; automobile industry; pistons; alumina fibre reinforcement; thermal cracking; insulating crowns; piston ring coatings; wear; nitrocarburzing; value train; chill cast camshafts; sintered value seat inserts; solid lubricant; fuel; bearings; aluminium silicone alloys; sputtered coatings; ceramics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1986.036783

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1986 Vol.1 No.1, pp.23 - 49

Published online: 07 Nov 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article