Studies on friction and wear characteristics of cam and follower: influences of soot contamination in engine oil

Abstract

In order to clarify the friction and wear mechanism of the contact between cam and follower in the valve train incorporated in an EGR system, an experimental investigation was performed with a cam-follower test rig. A fresh CD-class SAE10W-30 multigrade oil and its deteriorated versions with different contaminants were tested. Changes in friction force and amount of wear were measured during the course of the tests. The influence of the soot in the deteriorated oil was examined by mixing the exhaust gas soot blended with the dispersant, ZnDTP and MoDTC additives. Results are summarized as follows. (1) The friction fluctuated and gradually increased with the lapse of time in case of contaminated oils with the soot. (2) Under the coexistence of ZnDTP and MoDTC, however, the friction gradually decreased in spite of existence of soot. (3) The soot dispersed in the oil increased wear rate and reduced the anti-wear effect of the ZnDTP. (4) The smallest wear rate was observed because the anti-wear effect was maintained owing to the MoDTC.