A study on the tribological behavior of surface texturing on the nonflat piston ring under mixed lubrication

Abstract

In this study, the performance of surface texturing on nonflat surfaces is numerically investigated. A one-dimensional mixed-lubrication model considering the oil supply is employed. The cases of the nonflat ring lubrication with full and partial texturing are conducted in steady-state and engine-like conditions. By considering the oil transport for lubricant distribution along the liner, the simulation for the whole ring pack is also conducted. As a main conclusion, the textured surface can obtain a special benefit on the tribological properties under not only the mixed lubrication, but also starved lubrication. In addition, it also suggests that the reduction of the ring-pack friction is possible if the nonflat top compression ring is textured.