Thermal and Thermoelastic Analysis of Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron and Light Alloy Pistons

The results of theoretical thermal, thermoelastic, and mechanical analyses of a spheroidal graphite cast iron piston and an equivalent light alloy piston used hitherto are reported. The theoretical analysis was carried out using the finite elements method. Results obtained were experimentally verified by subjecting a spheroidal graphite cast iron piston to a peculiar load condition. The maximum stress values were found to be about the same in both pistons; so there is reason to believe that the spheroidal graphite cast iron piston can meet the same design requirements and even offer better performances than the light alloy piston.