EngSci-ET-110: Effect of start-stop engine operation on the friction and wear behaviour of automotive piston ring and cylinder liner materials

In the drive to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency, automotive manufacturers have introduced numerous engine management technologies such as cylinder deactivation, start-stop or hybrid operating schedules. Whilst these technologies have a significant impact on fuel economy and exhaust emissions, the effect on the friction and wear lifetime of internal engine components such as the ring pack or cylinder wall is less well known. Such components rely on the generation of an elastic hydrodynamic or full fluid film to protect them from sliding asperity contacts and keep frictional energy dissipation and surface wear to a minimum. However, formation of an EHL fluid film requires relative movement between surfaces. Little work has been done to investigate the effect of repeated velocity interruption where boundary lubrication conditions will necessarily prevail. This PhD will investigate the fundamentals of lubricated start-stop sliding on the friction and wear behaviour of automotive engine materials using a number of laboratory based test equipment. A range of surface characterisation techniques such as non-contact optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam - secondary ion mass spectrometry will be used to determine surface damage evolution and the effectiveness of chemical additives under transient contact conditions.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr John Walker, Energy research group, Email: [Email Address Removed], Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 3671.

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