Engine Studies of Solid Film Lubricant Coated Pistons

An investigation describing engine friction reduction benefits attainable via the introduction of Solid Film Lubricants to piston skirts is presented. Ford II-25 thermoset and II-25 waterborne molybdenum disulfide based solid film lubricants were shown through single cylinder motored engine experiments, to produce piston system friction reductions of 12 to 17% at 1500 rpm. Further tests undertaken in fired engine dynamometer studies, on a 1.91 1-4 CVH engine, demonstrated total engine friction reductions of 6% at W.O.T. conditions. The reduced engine friction resulted in lowering BSFC at 850 rpm by 3 to 4%. Tests conducted by Powertrain Operations confirmed durability. II-25 thermoset was selected for production implementation on all new Ford engines starting from model year 1995.