Performance of an Al-Si-graphite particle composite piston in a diesel engine

Krishnan, BP and Raman, N and Narayanaswamy, K and Rohatgi, PK (1980) Performance of an Al-Si-graphite particle composite piston in a diesel engine. In: Wear, 60 (1). pp. 205-215.

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Abstract

Al-Si-graphite particle composite alloy pistons containing different percentages of about 80 μm uncoated graphite particles were successfully cast by foundry techniques. Tests with a 5 hp single-cylinder diesel engine show that Al-Si-graphite particle composite pistons can withstand an endurance test of 500 h without any apparent deterioration and do not seize during the running-in period. The use of the Al-Si-3% graphite particle composite piston also results in (a) up to 3% reduction in the specific fuel consumption, (b) considerable reduction in the wear of all four piston rings, (c) a reduction in piston wear, (d) a 9% reduction in the frictional horsepower losses of the engine as determined by the motoring test and (e) a slight increase in the exhaust gas temperature. These reductions (a)–(d) appear to be due to increased lubrication from the graphite particles which are smeared on the bearing surface, the higher damping capacity of the composite pistons and the reduced coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite pistons. Preliminary results indicate that aluminum-graphite particle composite alloy is a promising material for automotive pistons.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Wear
Publisher:	Elsevier
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier.
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Mechanical Engineering
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2010 10:15
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:40
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/22205

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