Piston ring/liner interface can contribute as much as half the total friction loss in internal combustion engines, with the resulting wear leading to reduced energy efficiency and raised emissions. A new ASTM International standard provides a method to more accurately measure small amounts of wear on curved piston ring segments and their counterfaces after lubricated bench-scale testing.
“Coupled with advanced computer simulations, bench-scale testing has become a key tool in the development of new fuel-efficient engine components,” says Peter J. Blau, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a past chairman of Committee G02 on Wear and Erosion.
The new standard, ASTM G206, Guide for Measuring the Wear Volumes of Piston Ring Segments Run Against Flat Coupons in Reciprocating Wear Tests, was developed by Subcommittee G02.40 on Non-Abrasive Wear.
According to Blau, ASTM G206 was developed to complement ASTM G181, Test Method for Conducting Friction Tests of Piston Ring and Cylinder Liner Materials Under Lubricated Conditions.
“Full-scale engine tests for new materials, coatings or lubricant formulations can be prohibitively expensive given the number of material choices and the need to establish the repeatability of results,” says Blau. “Therefore, cost-effective bench-top tests can be used to prescreen candidate materials and lubricants prior to full-scale engine trials. With advances in wear-resistant materials, the precise measurement of small amounts of wear in bench-scale tests become essential to enable differentiation between competing coatings or surface engineering processes.”
Primary users of ASTM G206 will include diesel and automotive internal combustion engine designers and builders; developers of lubricants and additives; and researchers interested in surface engineering for improved friction and wear performance.
To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact). ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.
ASTM Committee G02 Next Meeting: Dec. 7-8, 2011, in conjunction with D02 December meeting
Technical Contact: Peter J. Blau, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn., Phone: 865-574-5377; blaupj@ornl.gov
ASTM Staff Contact: Kathleen McClung, Phone: 610-832-9717; kmcclung@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
Release #8936