Engine piston rings improvement through effective materials, advanced manufacturing methods and novel design shape

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a literature review of the main physical phenomena considered by previous studies focusing on the modelling and the numerical simulation of frictional behaviour of piston rings, in the first section. In the second section, the more recent technical papers and patents about piston ring pack are briefly discussed. They deal with novel materials, innovative manufacturing methods and modified shape for improving frictional, stability and blow-by behaviours. Design/methodology/approach – This review paper aims at covering last period technical efforts about engine piston ring pack friction reduction through novel materials and manufacturing methods as well as new surface profiles according to the last outcomes of multiphysics numerical simulation. Findings – The paper type is “literature review”. The findings of the authors of papers and patents are described. Originality/value – This review paper proposes a survey of recent papers and patents on piston rings topic.