Extending the Life of Roller Chain Camshaft Drives for Internal Combustion Engines

The paper deals with wear performance of roller chain camshaft drives, with particular reference to engine condition and its effect on lubricating qualities of automotive oils and the consequences concerning chain wear.

Serious lube oil contamination is a feature frequently encountered in diesel engines and can also arise in gasoline units brought on by certain aspects of engine design, service intervals and the type of vehicle usage.

The development story of a special Extra Life Roller Chain is dealt with in detail, involving engine and rig evaluation together with comparative chain wear tests on used automotive oils in various stages of contamination from a variety of known applicational duties.

The work culminates in the development of a chromised pin chain giving exceptional extra life, combating the effect of lube oil contamination.