Application of Silica-Gel-Reinforced Aluminium Composite on the Piston of Internal Combustion Engine

Abstract

The piston of the internal combustion engine is one of the most complex parts among all engine components. During the operation, the pistons of IC engines are typically subjected to high loading and wearing. To withstand these, they require high mechanical properties and excellent tribological properties. This chapter aims to compare the mechanical as well as tribological properties of silica-gel-reinforced aluminium composite with aluminium alloy, which is used in manufacturing of piston of IC engine. Initially silica-gel-reinforced aluminium composite was fabricated with base material aluminium and six different percentages of silica gel reinforcement by stir casting method. After that, mechanical and tribological properties of silica-gel-reinforced aluminium composite were estimated and the tremendous mechanical and tribological properties among all percentages by different optimization techniques were found. The authors then compared the admirable properties of aluminium composite with aluminium alloy for manufacturing of piston of IC engine.