Cylinder Tribology in Small Two-Stroke Engine Using the Methanol Fuel (Comparison between Engine Test and Sliding Test)

Abstract

Recently, the issue of resources drying up and environmental problems have become more and more serious, and interest has been growing in methanol as an alternative fuel. As a result, in this paper, the cylinder tribology in a small two-stroke engine using methanol fuel and gasoline fuel was studied. An experiment was conducted with an engine and simulated sliding equipment. After the operation was repeated at regular time intervals, the amount of wear of the cylinder wall was investigated. Results show that the wear for methanol fuel was smaller than that for gasoline fuel. To investigate the difference why, the viscosity and Thermo Gravimetry (TG) properties of oils on the cylinder walls were analysed. Simulated sliding tests to imitate the engine case to test lubrication conditions were also carried out. Methanol fuel shows higher viscosity and lower friction due to sustaining the oil film on the cylinder wall. The reduced wear with methanol fuel measurements could be obtained.