Högskolan i Skövde

Lamellar graphite iron (LGI) is commonly used in diesel engine applications such as piston rings–cylinder liner where an excellent combination of physical and tribological properties is essential to avoid scuffing and bore polishing issues. The excellent tribological behaviour of LGI alloys is related to the graphite lamellas, which act as solid lubricant agents by feeding onto the tribosurfaces under sliding conditions. However, increasingly tighter emissions and fuel economy legislations and the higher demands on enhanced power and durability have encouraged both engine designers and manufacturers to introduce pearlitic compacted graphite irons (CGI) as an alternative material replacing LGI, although the poor machinability of pearlitic CGI alloys compared to the LGI remains a challenge.

The focus of this study is placed on investigating how the microstructure of LGI and CGI alloys affects their mechanical and tribological properties. This was initially undertaken by investigating representative, worn lamellar cast iron piston rings taken from a two-stroke large-bore heavy-duty diesel engine. As known that it is tribologically essential to keep the graphite open under sliding conditions, in particular under starved lubrication regimes or unlubricated conditions to avoid scuffing issues; however, this study revealed the closure of a majority of graphite lamellas; profoundly for those lamellas that were parallel to sliding direction; due to the severe matrix deformation caused by abrasion. Both microindentation and microscratch testing, which were used to crudely simulate the abrasion under starved lubricated condition in combustion chamber, suggested a novel mechanism of activating the graphite lamellas to serve as lubricating agents in which the matrix deformation adjacent to the graphite initially resulted in fracturing and then extrusion of the graphite lamellas.

Additionally, in order to investigate the relation between matrix constituents, mechanical properties and machinability of cast iron materials, solution-strengthened CGI alloys were produced with different levels of silicon and section thicknesses. The results showed significant improvements in mechanical properties and machinability while deteriorating the ductility. Moreover, multiple regression analysis, based on chemical composition and microstructural characteristics was used to model the local mechanical properties of high Si ferritic CGI alloys, followed by implementing the derived models into a casting process simulation which enables the local mechanical properties of castings with complex geometries. Very good agreement was observed between the measured and predicted microstructure and mechanical properties.

There has been much discussion about the beneficial uses of lamellar graphite iron in piston rings–cylinder liner systems, where a good combinations of both thermal and tribological properties are essential. The excellent tribological performance of lamellar iron under such sliding conditions is principally associated with lubrication behaviour of the graphite particles which are distributed as lamellas throughout the matrix. During sliding, graphite particles are extruded and smeared onto the counterfaces, act as solid lubricating agents and form a thin graphite film between the sliding surfaces. Although this process especially, during the running-in period significantly changes the sliding wear response of the components, the exact mechanism behind of this phenomenon has rarely been discussed in previous studies.

It is tribologically beneficial to keep the graphite open, particularly in applications where the scuffing issues do matter. In this thesis, the main causes involved in closing the graphite lamellas are discussed, with a focus on matrix plastic deformation that occurs during sliding. In first step, the relationship between graphite lamellae orientation and plastic deformation was investigated. To do so, two piston rings, belonging to the same two-stroke marine engine operated for different periods of time, were selected and compared to the unworn sample. The worn piston rings displayed a substantial decrease in both frequency and area fraction of the graphite lamellas. Most of the lamellas were closed as a result of plastic deformation of matrix. This happening was caused mainly by the interaction between abrasive particles and metallic matrix. Additionally, it was found that graphite lamellas parallel or near-parallel to the sliding direction exhibited maximum closing tendency under sliding condition.

In next step, to have a better understanding of the graphite film formation mechanism and matrix deformation role in closing the graphite lamellas, microindentation and microscratch testing were performed on typical lamellar iron. The qualitative results showed a similar mechanism involving in graphite contribution to lubricate the sliding surfaces. Moreover, microindentations made nearby the graphite lamellas demonstrated that the deformation of the matrix causes the formation of cracks in the centre of the graphite lamellas, compressing and then extruding the graphite from its natural position, irrespective of the lamellas′ size. Furthermore, it was found that subsurface graphite orientation had a large influence on the extrusion behaviour, in that, for graphite lamellas oriented towards the indenter, the effect was observed more pronounced.

Furthermore, an improved fully ferritic solution strengthened compacted graphite iron was produced for future wear studies. The effects of different Si levels and section thicknesses on tensile properties and hardness were investigated as well. The influence of Si content and section thickness on mechanical properties was revealed by improving the materials strength and slightly enhancing the hardness through increasing Si content. Besides, Si addition up to 4.5 wt% significantly affected the strength and elongation to failure of cast samples.

This study focuses on the graphite flakes extrusion mechanism during microindenting and microscratching of cast iron. Observations on the graphite response under abrasive conditions revealed that the matrix deformation which is occurred during a sliding wear condition could have a significant influence on its lubricating performance. Simple microindentation and microscratch tests were conducted to explore the lamellar graphite contribution to tribofilm formation under abrasive wear conditions. The results obtained showed that induced plastic deformation which developed adjacent to the graphite compressed the lamellas and in turn resulting in extrusion of the graphite from its natural position. Further investigations on both indentation and scratch tests indicated that, surprisingly, the graphite began to be fractured and extruded from the centre of graphite lamellas, irrespective of the lamella size. Additionally, a mechanism was proposed to explain the self-lubricating and the extrusion behaviour of the lamellar graphite as a result of indentation.

Cast iron is assessed as a self-lubricating material under sliding conditions. This is due to the graphite particles distributed in the matrix, which come out from their pocket, and form a tribofilm between the mating surfaces, and by which improve the tribological characteristics. In this study, the directionality and the interaction between the graphite and matrix material was investigated by microindentation and microscratch techniques. The results showed that the graphite is fractured and pushed out from the middle of graphite lamellas as a result of indentation. It was also observed that the graphite orientation below the surface intensely influenced the pushing out behaviour. For the graphite oriented toward the indenter position, the effect was more pronounced. Moreover, it was found that a scratch test can be used to investigate and explain the graphite pushing out tendency. The result was used to explain the directionality and closing tendency of the graphite lamellas during sliding.

Abstract Plastic deformation of the matrix during the wear process results in closing the graphite flakes. In this study, the relationship between the deformation of the matrix and the closing tendency of flake graphite was investigated, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Two representative piston rings, which belonged to the same two-stroke marine engine but were operated for different periods of time, were studied. Initial microstructural observations indicated a uniform distribution of graphite flakes on unworn surfaces, whereas worn surfaces demonstrated a tendency towards a preferred orientation. Approximately 40% of the open flakes of the unworn surfaces were closed during sliding, which may result in the deterioration of the self-lubricating capability of cast iron. Moreover, flakes within the orientation range of 0 to 30° relative to the sliding direction showed a maximum closing tendency when subjected to sliding. The closing tendency gradually decreased as the angle increased, approaching a minimum between 30 and 70°. A slight increase in the closing tendency was observed for flakes with orientations between 70 and 90°. A similar trend was observed on both rings. Furthermore, SEM and EDS analysis indicated substantial deformation of the matrix in the area around the flakes. An insignificant corrosion attack was observed on both worn piston ring surfaces.

This study focuses on abrasion resistance of Lamellar Graphite Iron (LGI) using microscratch test under constant and progressive load conditions. The interactions between a semi-spherical abrasive particle, cast iron matrix and graphite lamellas were physically simulated using a sphero-conical indenter. The produced scratches were analysed using LOM and SEM to scrutinise the effect of normal load on resulting scratch depth, width, frictional force, friction coefficient and deformation mechanism of matrix during scratching. Results showed a significant matrix deformation, and change both in frictional force and friction coefficient by increase of scratch load. Furthermore, it was shown how abrasive particles might produce deep scratches with severe matrix deformation which could result in graphite lamella's coverage and thereby deteriorate LGI's abrasion resistance.

This study investigates the effect of austempering temperature and time on the microstructural and mechanical properties of unalloyed Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) with an initially ferritic matrix structure. The as-cast CGI samples were first austenitised at 900 °C for 60 min in a furnace, then austempered in a closed salt bath at three austempering temperatures – 275, 325, and 375 °C – for different times; 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Tensile properties, Brinell, Vickers and Rockwell C hardness values were evaluated for the as-cast and austempered CGI ones. LOM and SEM, EBSD analysis techniques were used for microstructure and phase analysis. A mixture of acicular ferrite and retained austenite was achieved in the austempered CGI samples. In general, a decrease in austempering temperature resulted in a decrease in retained austenite content, corresponding improvements in hardness and tensile strength, and a decrease in elongation values.

The present study focuses on scratch behaviour of a conventional pearlitic and a number of solid solution strengthened ferritic Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) alloys. This was done by employing a single-pass microscratch test using a sphero-conical diamond indenter under different constant normal load conditions. Matrix solution hardening was made by alloying with different contents of Si; (3.66, 4.09 and 4.59 wt%. Si) which are named as low-Si, medium-Si and high-Si ferritic CGI alloys, respectively. A good correlation between the tensile and scratch test results was observed explaining the influence of CGI’s matrix characteristics on scratch behaviour both for pearlitic and fully ferritic solution strengthened ones. Both the scratch depth and scratch width showed strong tendency to increase with increasing the normal load, however the pearlitic one showed more profound deformation compared to the solution strengthened CGI alloys. Among the investigated alloys, the maximum and minimum scratch resistance were observed for high-Si ferritic CGI and pearlitic alloys, respectively. It was confirmed by the scratched surfaces analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) as well. In addition, the indenter’s depth of penetration value (scratch depth) was found as a suitable measure to ascertain the scratch resistance of CGI alloys. 

This study investigates the scratch load effect, from 100 to 2000 mN, on micro-mechanisms involved during scratching. A pearlitic and three ferritic Compacted Graphite Irons (CGI) solution strengthened through addition of 3.66, 4.09, and 4.59 Si wt% were investigated. Good correlation was observed between hardness measurements, tensile testing, and scratch results explaining the influence of matrix characteristics on scratch behaviour for investigated alloys. A significant matrix deformation, change in frictional force and scratch coefficient of friction was observed by increase in scratch load. In all cases, microscratch depth and width increased significantly with load increasing, however pearlitic CGI showed most profound deformation, while the maximum and minimum scratch resistances were observed for high-Si ferritic and pearlitic CGI alloys, respectively.

At Volvo Group Trucks Operations (GTO) in Skövde, cylinder blocks, cylinder heads and flywheels are manufactured through sandcasting. As the forming tools that forms the sand forms are filled with sand, wear occurs where the sand particles hit the tool surface. The forming tool thus needs to be regularly maintained. The aim of this study is to evaluate alternative materials that the forming tools can be manufactured in to reduce wear, and thereby reducing costs by extending maintenance intervals. The problem is analyzed and a literature study on erosive and abrasive wear is carried out. A number of materials are presented as suitable candidates based on the literature study, material charts and discussion. Material samples are tested using a standard method for solid particle erosion using gas jets. Results from previous empirical studies indicate that erosion is strongly influenced by material properties such as hardness and toughness but also the angle of impingement and velocity of the erosive particles.The erosion test is performed at 30 and 90 degree angle of impingement. The test shows that the softer steel, Holdax and Sverker 21 have higher resistance to erosion at low angles of impingement and the harder steel Nimax has higher resistance at high angles of impingement. Nimax is considered a suitable material for the forming tool, as Nimax has the overall lowest erosion rate when adding the total erosion over both angles of impingement. Nimax has the lowest erosion rate at 30 degrees angle and is also considered to have good resistance to erosion at 90 degrees angle. Recommendation is given on repeated erosion tests to validate the results. There are also recommendations regarding material testing in the forming tool to see if a material change would lead to savings. Examination of possibilities to make changes in the sand filling process, altering angle of impingement between the sand blown and the forming tool as well as air pressure is recommended.

This bachelor’s degree project aimed to improve the wheel profile of a rail mounted trolley and determine the cause of wheel failure. The proceedings of this project where modelled after an approach for solving wear problems with an emphasis on designing for sustainability. A case study and root cause analysis (RCA) was performed and the flanged wheels were deemed insufficient for the given heavy-haul system. Possible areas of wheel profile improvement were identified and further researched with multiple literature reviews. Throughout the projects duration several limitations were introduced that reduced the concept testing to exclusively theoretical prediction models. Archard’s model was implemented to predict wear and operating time for the proposed material and wheel tread profile concepts. The wheel flange dimensions were chosen based on recommendations from wheel and rail interference handbooks among other sources. The final wheel and rail profile suggestion improved operating time by approximately 300% and wear resistance by 50% compared to its predecessor. This result was achieved by applying the same theoretical prediction model to both current and suggested profiles. The findings of this project are meant to aid SCA among others in similar cases and additionally highlight the value of product improvement from a technological, sociological, and environmental perspective.

Aluminium is essential in automobile industry together with cast iron. Because of its lightweight property and good mechanical properties, aluminium reinforced with silicon carbide have found application as brake discs. Aluminium reinforced with 15%and 20% silicon carbide were high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) and Rheo-HPDC cast in the current paper. Micro-Vickers hardness and Rockwell C hardness showed different trends with the increasing amounts of SiCp-particles. Scratch resistance of the surface on micro-scale was analysed using a micro-scratch test to study the mechanics of the wear process. Reciprocating sliding wear of the composites was considered, using the HPDC cast aluminium with 20% silicon carbide of liquid casting as the sliding surface. The wear showed a combination of abrasive wear and adhesive wear. The metallography of the wear surfaces showed deep abrasive wear grooves. Wear debris from both the surfaces were forming a tribolayer. The formation of this layer decided the friction and wear performance as a result of the abrasive and adhesive wear mechanisms seen both in the micromechanics of the scratch test and in the friction behaviour.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the tool performance when machining compacted graphite iron (CGI) alloys. A comparison was made between solid solution strengthened CGI including various amounts of silicon (Si-CGI) and the pearlitic-ferritic CGI as a reference material. The emphasis was on examining the influence of microstructure and mechanical properties of the material on tool wear in face milling process. Machining experiments were performed on the engine-like test pieces comprised of solid solution strengthened CGI with three different silicon contents and the reference CGI alloy. The results showed up-to 50% lower flank wear when machining Si-CGI alloys, although with comparable hardness and tensile properties. In-depth analysis of the worn tool surfaces showed that the abrasion and adhesion were the dominant wear mechanisms for all investigated alloys. However, the better tool performance when machining Si-CGI alloys was mainly due to a lower amount of abrasive carbo-nitride particles and the suppression of pearlite formation in the investigated solid solution strengthened alloys.

Significant research has been done to improve the wear properties of the components used in internal combustion engines. Excessive wear is observed in components such as cylinder liners and rings, which can lead to lower volumetric efficiency of the engine, increase oil consumption, polluting emissions, and scuffing related issues. Since tribological systems in internal combustion engines are complex, the different wear mechanisms involved need to be investigated to improve the life of components. Cast irons are commonly used for engine components, especially compacted graphite irons (CGI) for piston rings and gray cast irons (GCI) for cylinder liners. This work aims to evaluate the tribological behavior of two different microstructures of CGI (pearlitic and ausferritic), sliding on pearlitic GCI. The samples of CGI with different microstructures and hardness were evaluated in a short-stroke reciprocating sliding tester, using Petronas Urania SAE 30 API CF lubricant oil at 100 degrees C for four hours. The characterization of worn surfaces was made using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 3D roughness measurements. The coefficient of friction (COF) comparison between the two CGI microstructures showed very similar results with COF =0.11. The pearlitic CGI showed more severe wear than the austempered one, confirmed by SEM images and the difference in topography parameters before and after the tests. Phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc were detected by EDS analyses in the samples' worn-out regions, indicating the formation of tribo-films, which was further confirmed by the friction tests.