NAPILIS: Nanocomposites for piston/liner systems

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0609-1

Key words (English)

Nanotechnology; materials engineering; internal combustion engines

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: 505622

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 1.3 Telematic systems

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

Definition: SelfLubricating Metal and Ceramic Matrix NanoComposites SLMCMNCs are materials consisting of a metal or hartstoff matrix with dispersed self lubricating nanoparticles. For Piston/Liner systems the matrix may be a refractory metal like tungsten and chromium or a carbide or nitride of these metals, etc. The solid lubricant would be graphite, molybdenum disulfide, h-BN, etc.
State of the art: SLMCMNCs have so far never been synthesized and there exists no process technology for their synthesis. Self lubricating nanocomposites with a lubricant matrix (DLC) and carbide (WC, B4C) inclusions are state of the art since 15 years. They are produced by a P&CVD method on a large scale. Self lubricating Metal and Ceramic Matrix MicroComposites are state of the art since at least a century. They are produced by filling (SiC/C), sintering and casting ( e.g. grey cast iron, Pb/PTFE, etc), electroless deposition (Ni/PFE), plasma spraying (alloy + MoS2, PTFE). They are the material of choice for gliding seals.
Problem: The technologies used for self lubricating microcomposites can not be used for nanocomposites for worker's hygiene reasons. The state of the art PVD or CVD methods have failed so far in producing such nanocomposites (with the exception of AlSn20), since these technologies usually do not produce bi-phase materials.
Solution: We will explore 2 solutions: Combining in a sputter deposition process selection of an appropriate metallurgy with the use of extremely short intense heat spikes to promote the appropriate segregation. In a combined arc+ sputter process, we will use the strong particle emission from a graphite source. It has been shown - at least for metals - that the particle size can be tailored by the choice of appropriate magnetic steering and filtering.
Application: Piston/Liner systems _are the. most demanding gliding seals known. Capability to produce SLMCMNCs according to the specification, this would be a big step towards efficient engines.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0609-1