Application of Oxide Aluminum-Chrome Carbide Composites in Automotive Engines

A new oxide aluminum-chromium carbide-based coating has been developed for practical application in automobiles. CrC layer has strengthened oxide aluminum layer by filing surface defects and pores. Friction and wear were determined using a pin on disk tribometer at 25-900°C temperatures in hydrogen and air. It was revealed that appropriate additions of disulfide molybdenum, or diamond particles to the baseline carbide composition significantly reduced friction coefficients while preserving, and in some cases, even enhancing wear resistance. The results of this study demonstrate that the composite is a promising coating composition to consider for high-temperature aerospace and advanced heat engine applications. The excellent results in hydrogen make this coating of particular interest for use in automotive engines. Based upon observed tribological mechanics a model has been developed to describe thermo-mechanical behavior of oxide aluminum-chrome carbide composition under friction.