Contemporary challenges of soot build-up in IC engine and their tribological implications

Confronted with the contemporary challenges of maximising energy efficiency with minimal impact on the environment, the automotive industry has developed various technologies to tackle them. Most of these technologies, however, have wider implications on the tribological performance of the automotive engines due to resultant soot build-up. This paper reviews the effects that attempts by stakeholders to satisfy requirements for reduced fuel consumption, reduced emissions and extended service intervals have had on increasing soot levels to an extent that can lead to engine component failure. Three areas have been identified that have either not been explored or not widely explored in the study of automotive soot namely: numerical simulation and modelling of soot wear, soot effects on wear of actual engine components and the wear and friction performance of non-metallic materials used in internal combustion engines. A paper-grading system is also utilised to present an overview of how sooty oil-related research covers various areas.