Application of DLC coating in automobile industry

We all know that the piston ring in the engine is installed in the groove on the side wall of the piston, and the outer circumference surface of the piston ring is closely attached to the inner wall of the cylinder. When the piston moves up and down in the cylinder, the annular surface continuously scratches the inner wall of the cylinder, resulting in greater friction loss and worse working conditions. Piston rings usually serve as guides, heat conductors and seals in engines. Therefore, the DLC coating technology developed around them directly affects the energy consumption and service life of the entire engine.

DLC coating has high hardness, high elastic modulus, low friction coefficient, wear resistance and good vacuum tribological properties, which is very suitable for wear resistant coating. Therefore, the diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings obtained by vapor deposition process are widely used in many parts that require wear resistance and hardness. The DLC process temperature is usually about 200 degrees Celsius, or even lower, and can handle most automotive parts.

DLC coating further reduces friction function loss. It is more difficult to pull the cylinder. In new energy vehicle engines using non fuel as fuel (such as natural gas and methanol fuel engines currently being promoted), DLC coated piston rings can play a good role in lubrication, anti-wear and wear reduction under dry friction conditions without lubricating oil, which is also the way to solve the service life and energy saving problems of such piston rings.