Development of valve train rig for assessment of cam/follower tribochemistry

Abstract

Component bench tests are a crucial part of a tribology assessment experimental programme for most engines and subsystems. This is because they test the components under conditions simulating the operating characteristics of the system. These have become very important as they shed more light into the friction, wear, lubrication and importantly for this study, the tribochemistry of valve train systems. This work outlines the procedure for the development of a single cam rig (SCR) from a 1.25L FORD Zetec (SE) engine. Friction plots were used to validate the data obtained from the newly developed single cam rig with Mn–phosphate coated and polished follower against a cast iron camshaft. The tribofilm formed using normal and mid Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur (SAPS) 5W-30 oils were evaluated and correlated to the friction and wear properties of the tribopair.Raman and FIB–SEM/EDX investigations of the tribochemical films showed that the normal SAPS oil produced patchy, thick (80–100nm) and well dispersed tribofilm with better wear prevention capabilities. It was observed that Mid SAPS oil had lower wear prevention due to loosely dispersed and thin tribofilms. Absence of tribofilms at the centre of the insert with this oil also suggests that formation and removal processes are an integral part of the wear mechanisms in highly loaded cam follower systems.