Nittred Gray Cast Iron Piston Rings

The piston rings are responsible for maintaining some engine functioning parameters in an acceptable range, mainly the lubricant oil consumption and the blow-by gases flow from the combustion chamber to the crankcase. The wear resistance of these components is related to their capacity of properly exerting these functions during the whole engine life. In Diesel engines, all the rings have a wear resistant coating applied to their contact face with the cylinder wall. However, the chrome plating of the second groove compression ring is a conservative solution with the possibility of the development of lower cost alternatives.

This paper presents the results of engine tests that compare the wear resistance of second groove rings with chrome plating and rings made of nitrited gray cast iron. Test results with similar gray cast iron rings are also analyzed to infer the influence of the nitriding treatment on the wear resistance of this material.