The Wear Mechanism of Piston Rings and Cylinder Liners Under Cooled-EGR Condition and the Development of Surface Treatment Technology for Effective Wear Reduction

The superior fuel economy of diesel engines compared to gasoline engines is favorable in reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. On the other hand, the reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions are technically difficult, thus the improvement in the emission reduction technologies is important. Although the cooled exhaust gas recirculation (cooled-EGR) is the effective method to reduce NOx emissions, it is known to have durability and reliability problems, especially of the increased wear of piston rings and cylinder liners. Therefore, the degree of cooling and amount of EGR are both limited. To apply the cooled-EGR more effectively, the wear reduction technology for such components are indispensable.

In this study, the negative effects of cooled-EGR on the wear are quantified by using a heavy-duty diesel engine, and its wear mechanism is identified. A surface treatment technology for effective wear reduction has been successfully developed and its preparation for mass production is completed. The outline of the development is also reported.