Analyzing the Effects of Three-Dimensional Cylinder Liner Surface Texture on Ring-Pack Performance With a Focus on Honing Groove Cross-Hatch Angle

Frictional losses in the piston ring-pack of an engine account for approximately 20% of the total frictional losses within an engine. Although many non-conventional cylinder liner finishes are now being developed to reduce friction and oil consumption, the effects of the surface finish on ring-pack performance is not well understood. The current study focuses on modeling the effects of three-dimensional cylinder liner surface anisotropy on piston ring-pack performance. A rough surface flow simulation program was developed to generate flow factors and shear stress factors for three-dimensional cylinder liner surface textures. Rough surface contact between the ring and liner was modeled using a previously published methodology for asperity contact pressure estimation between actual rough surfaces. The surface specific flow factors, shear stress factors, and asperity contact model were used in conjunction with MIT’s previously developed ring-pack simulation program to predict the effects of different surface textures on ring-pack behavior. Specific attention was given to the effect of honing groove cross-hatch angle on piston ring-pack friction in a stationary natural gas engine application, and adverse effects on engine oil consumption and durability were also briefly considered. The modeling results suggest that ring-pack friction reduction is possible if the liner honing cross hatch angle is decreased by reducing the feed-to-speed ratio of the honing tool. Reducing the cross-hatch angle increased oil flow blockage and increased the lubricant’s effective viscosity during mixed lubrication. This allowed more load to be supported by hydrodynamic pressure, reducing ring-pack friction. However, there appeared to be a potential for increased oil consumption and scuffing tendency corresponding to a decrease in honing cross-hatch angle.