Characterization of various coatings in terms of friction and wear for internal combustion engine piston rings

Abstract

Nowadays, as the environmental regulations are becoming more pregnant, in particular the end of the use of CrVI in the manufacturing processes, a need for new mate-rials solutions is required. The use of the electrolytic depo-sition process for the growth of chromium metal coatings requires that, in short term, alternative solutions need to be found The purpose of this work is to test several alterna-tive coatings likely to replace the current chromium coat-ing used on the top ring of the engine pistons. For the realisation of this work, a PLINT TE 77 tribometer specifically designed for this study of friction in lubricated mode has been used. This type of configuration is well appropriate for the simulation of a contact between piston ring and cylinder liner of an engine. Various types of coatings have been tested and some alternative solutions have been identified.