Intermolecular And Surface Forces

A critical assessment of surface texturing for friction and wear improvement

Improving fuel efficiency with laser surface textured piston rings

Surface Texturing in Machine Elements − A Critical Discussion for Rolling and Sliding Contacts

Tribology of piston compression ring conjunction under transient thermal mixed regime of lubrication

Reciprocating and low-speed sliding contacts can experience increased friction because of solid boundary interactions. Use of surface texturing has been shown to mitigate undue boundary friction and improve energy efficiency. A combined numerical and experimental investigation is presented to ascertain the beneficial effect of pressure perturbation caused by micro-hydrodynamics of entrapped reservoirs of lubricant in cavities of textured forms as well as improved micro-wedge flow. The results show good agreement between numerical predictions and experimental measurements using a precision sliding rig with a floating bed-plate. Results show that the texture pattern and distribution can be optimised for given conditions, dependent on the intended application under laboratory conditions. The translation of the same into practical in-field applications must be carried out in conjunction with the cost of fabrication and perceived economic gain. This means that near optimal conditions may suffice for most appli...

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Combined numerical and experimental investigation of the micro-hydrodynamics of chevron-based textured patterns influencing conjunctional friction of sliding contacts

The paper describes the importance of reducing frictional losses in internal combustion (IC) engines, thereby improving engine efficiency. One of the main sources contributing significantly to engine friction is the interaction between the piston compression and oil rings and the cylinder bore/liner. Improving the tribological performance in these conjunctions has the greatest potential for performance improvement in the IC engine. Traditionally, the approaches used to tackle this problem have relied heavily on empirical engineering judgement. These have resulted in many inconclusive studies, involving a large number of alternatives, including the introduction of cylinder liners with surface modification work and/or with special coatings. This paper highlights a fundamental investigation of surface modification and coating and its impact on frictional performance. The study combines numerical and experimental approaches. Very good agreement is found between the conclusions of numerical predictions and those of engine test bed work.

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In-Cylinder Friction Reduction Using a Surface Finish Optimization Technique

Piston–cylinder interactions account for a significant portion of frictional losses in an internal-combustion engine. This is mainly as the result of significant changes in the operating conditions (the load, the speed and the temperature) as well as the contact geometry and the encountered topography during a typical engine cycle. These changes alter the regime of lubrication which underlies the mechanisms of friction generation. The multi-variate interactive nature of the problem requires quite complex analyses which do not fully replicate the actual in-situ conditions. Therefore, there is a need for direct measurement of cyclic friction under controlled conditions. The paper describes the use of a novel floating-liner arrangement which is capable of direct measurement of friction, its transitory mechanisms, as well as determination of the regime of lubrication.

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Direct measurement of piston friction of internal-combustion engines using the floating-liner principle

On the boundary conditions in multi-phase flow through the piston ring-cylinder liner conjunction

Friction constitutes nearly one fifth of all engine losses. The main contributory source of frictional losses in most engines is the piston–cylinder system, accounting for nearly half of all the parasitic losses. Minimisation of this is essential for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, which are the main driving forces in engine development. The tribology of piston–cylinder conjunctions is, however, transient in nature. This means that various palliative actions need to be undertaken to suit certain instances during the engine cycle. In general, formation of a coherent film of lubricant of suitable viscosity reduces the chance of boundary interactions for most of the piston cycle. Plateau honing of the cylinder bore surface reduces the ‘peakiness’ of the surface topography. Furthermore, if regularly spaced grooves are provided on the contacting surface, these grooves can act as reservoirs of lubricant. However, at low sliding speeds, which are typically found during piston motion reversals, lubricant entrainment into the contact either ceases or is significantly reduced. Therefore, at the end of the piston strokes, there is a greater chance of boundary interactions, resulting in increased friction. There is a need to engineer the surface topography in these low-relative-speed regions in a manner conducive to the retention of a lubricant film. Surface texturing by means of laser processing or mechanical indentation at the dead centres are used to produce local reservoirs of lubricant as well as to encourage and direct the flow of lubricant into the contact conjunction. The paper shows that such surface-modifying features improve the engine’s output power by as much as 4% over that of the standard cylinder bore surface. To reduce wear and scuffing, particularly at the top dead centre, hard coatings can also be used. However, smooth surfaces and the generally oleophobic nature of hard coatings can increase the chance of adhesion, particularly at low sliding speeds. This means that prevention of wear does not necessarily lead to improved fuel efficiency. Furthermore, it is necessary to determine the geometry of the textured patterns in order to avoid the leakage of oil from the ring-pack conjunctions, which can result in increased emissions as well as lubricant degradation and depletion.

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S.J. Howell-Smith

Papers

Combined numerical and experimental investigation of the micro-hydrodynamics of chevron-based textured patterns influencing conjunctional friction of sliding contacts

In-Cylinder Friction Reduction Using a Surface Finish Optimization Technique

Direct measurement of piston friction of internal-combustion engines using the floating-liner principle

On the boundary conditions in multi-phase flow through the piston ring-cylinder liner conjunction

Reducing in-cylinder parasitic losses through surface modification and coating