Ceramic Thermal Barrier Coatings Provide Advanced Diesel Emissions Control and Improved Management of Combustion-Exhaust System Temperatures

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), applied to diesel pistons, beads and valves, provide higher operating temperatures to improve thermal efficiency and control temperatures within the combustion chamber and exhaust systems. The results are advanced emission control of particulate matter, soot and smoke (opacity) and reduction of the damaging effects of heat to engine components.

Management of the temperatures within the cylinder and exhaust systems is achieved by the ability of diesel ceramic coatings to reduce the amount of heat transferred from the combustion process into the engine components - an adjustment which improves the conditions for heat utilization, or removal, from the exhaust gases. Additionally, since engine components run cooler (under the ceramic coatings), the operating thermal stresses are reduced and engine operating life is increased. Lastly, since carbon does not attach itself and accumulate on ceramic surfaces, the operating characteristics remain consistent within the cleaner engine conditions, minimizing the aging effects associated with poor combustion efficiency.