Surface Texturing for Automotive Applications

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In the drive to make automotive transportation more sustainable, controlling the friction behaviour of engine components has become a key area of research focus for reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency. Friction between engine components can account for up to 12% of the supplied energy from the fuel. With projected global vehicle usage set to excess 30 billion vehicles by 2030, small decreases in friction in the engine can have a significant impact on reducing global emission levels. This project will investigate the use of electro-jet machining to pattern light-weight aluminium engine block surfaces in order to enhance their friction behaviour. You will investigate a range of texturing parameters to optimise the friction coefficient for an automotive cylinder liner application. Extensive characterisation of the surface using non-contact optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam microscopy will allow an understanding of how different lubrication mechanisms influence the friction and wear behaviour of aluminium cylinder liner materials.