Development of Aluminium Based Silicon Carbide Particulate Metal Matrix Composite for Cylinder Liner

Abstract

Cylinder liner is used in engine block to give a wear protective surface for piston and piston rings. Friction accounts for a loss of over 30% of the total vehicle power. Over half of that power loss can be attributed to the frictional loss between piston rings and cylinder bores. The best approach for improving power train efficiency is to reduce friction loss and the way for reducing the rolling resistance is to reduce vehicle weight. One of the ways to aid in an automobile’s fuel economy by reducing vehicle weight and reducing friction loss simultaneously is to remove the cast iron cylinder block liners and replace them with a lighter, more thermally efficient material. Therefore, in order for the alternative to be a viable option for replacing cast iron liners, the more it can reduce the frictional loss between the cylinder liner and the piston ring. The aluminum based silicon carbide metal matrix composites (Al-SiC MMC) exhibits light weight, superior specific strength and specific stiffness, high temperature capability, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, better wear resistance, improved dimensional stability, and responsiveness to conventional metal forming techniques. The composite is to be prepared by powder metallurgy route followed by sintering. The tribological properties were checked for the composite both at ambient and elevated temperature by using pin heating machine. Thus an attempt is made through this project to serve one additional composite material for the given application.