Carbon nanotubes/silicon nitride nanocomposites for gasoline lubricated high pressure pumps

High graphene fillers content for improving the tribological performance of silicon nitride-based ceramics

“…In this particular case, the design of more efficient gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines highly demands the development of more wear resistant components able to reduce the friction as well [10]. In this sense, Si 3 N 4 composites are excellent candidates to fulfil those requirements and, in fact, Si 3 N 4 containing carbon nanotubes exhibited improved friction and wear resistance behaviour under isooctane lubrication using a reciprocating ball-on-plate configuration that tried to simulate certain GDI conditions [11], and an enhanced mechanical efficiency in a highpressure 3-piston prototype pump for gasoline using a cam/pusher system [12]. Based on those studies, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of high GNPs contents (up to 20.6 vol.…”

Friction and wear behaviour of silicon carbide/graphene composites under isooctane lubrication

“…As a matter of fact, Pfister et al [3] found a good performance with high mechanical efficiency using a self-mated textured SiC cam/pusher system within a high-pressure 3-piston prototype pump for gasoline. Besides, the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into silicon nitride ceramics (Si 3 N 4 ) to produce composite cams also exhibited an excellent mechanical efficiency and low cyclic variations and noise emissions when tested against steel pushers [4]. It seems that CNTs provided a better distribution of the local stresses beneath the tested surfaces and promoted lubrication by tribochemical reactions with the steel pushers.…”