Tribological Properties of Coated and Uncoated Materials for Piston Ring Applications

Abstract

Coating is an essential method to improve surface properties such as corrosion resistance, lubrication of material used. The simulated laboratory tests is a more feasible alternative to experimental or real-time testing. A study conducted under controlled parameters of load, surface coating, and temperature showed the changes in the tribological characteristics with and without functionally graded cermet coatings and their influence on stainless-steel piston rings. Altogether simulations for six cycles were taken into consideration for each of the test cases-with and without coating. The obtained data from the microstructure imaging in optical microscope following the investigation conducted employing tribometer showed that the resistance of the coated rings was comparatively more than the uncoated rings, hence proving the coating to be beneficial for real-time use.