Effects of Surface Treatments on Piston Ring Friction Force and Wear

Friction and scuff resistance of ceramic coatings (K-ramic and ion plating) for rings was studied by using a basic wear test machine. Ceramic coatings have been recently remarked for their high heat and wear resistances.

Friction force under firing condition was also measured by Furuhama's movable liner method to evaluate piston ring coatings. Ceramic coatings showed lower friction force than the conventional coatings of chromium plate and molybdenum spray coat. A durability test was also conducted to evaluate the wear resistance. Ion plating has the lowest friction with excellent wear resistance, and accordingly is a promising surface treatment for piston rings.