| Abstract: | Internal combustion engines are still of major importance as propulsion systems. To fulfil future market and legislative demands it is necessary to improve engine performance, reduce fuel consumption, and limit exhaust emissions. Mechanical and thermodynamic losses, wear, and the emissions caused by lubricating oil combustion are principally influenced by the tribological behaviour of the piston assembly. The trend towards compact engines with high power densities and increased thermomechanical loads increases the importance of this tribological system and requires new approaches. One promising possibility is the utilisation of liner surfaces with specially machined microstructures. This paper describes a comparison between a conventional liner surface and a laser‐structured liner as regards their tribological behaviour. Measurements of wear as well as of oil film thickness and friction force in operation have been carried out. The results show better tribological behaviour for the laser‐structured liner surface than for the conventional plateau‐honed surface. This leads to lower fuel consumption and less wear. |
