SBIR-STTR Award

It is proposed to develop new or improved on known gradient ceramic/ metallic coatings for application on diesel iron or steel pistons capable of withstanding 2000 def f combustion temperatures and providing significant thermal barriers. The trend of diesel engine development and particularly the low heat rejection (adiabatic) engines towards higher piston head temperatures requires the use of thermal barriers to contain the heat in the combustion chamber and/or to prevent the transfer or loss of heat through the piston.

Carboride corporation has developed a new thick thermal barrier (.125 inches) ceramic/metallic coating capable of withstanding 2300 deg f for use on iron diesel pistons. An earlier version of an 1800 deg g coating survived 30 hour engine tests, but partially failed just under 50 hours. The new coating structure is substantially stronger and crack resistant and completely sealed to protect the underlying ceramic against the hostile combustion environment. It is now proposed to conduct phase ii to prove out and optimize the coating structure with engine testing.