Ventilwerkstoffe für Verbrennungsmotoren

Valve Materials for Combustion Engines An overview is being given on production numbers, requirements and properties of valve materials. Their development from the beginning till today's state of the art is reviewed with a focus on Chromium-Manganese-Nitrogen-alloys. Valve materials are grouped by the criteria of density – heavy, lightweight – and alloying elements. The multiple stresses of the material in the valve are being met with a few standardised grades and specific ways of manufacture. The path of the material from bar stock to the finished valve is being followed. Engine development in the past decades increased the load on the valves which could be met by continuously developing their structural strength. Also the strength of all valve materials could be raised to nominal strength above 1100 Mpa by applying specific methods. Higher strength at the surface is being effectuated by work hardening effects. The technology to increase reliability of hollow valves and new aspects of valve seat facing including residual stress is explicitly discussed. General aspects of alloy utilisation is followed by a discussion of lightweight valve materials as Titanium alloys, intermetallic Titaniumaluminide alloys and ceramic materials, spec. Silicon Nitride, which all have a potential as forthcoming valve materials capable of reducing fuel consumption of the engines.