ABSTRACT
The experimental work examined the use of a novel plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) thermal barrier coating (TBC) for reduced wall heat transfer and increased thermal efficiency in future diesel engines. The aim was to insulate the heat flow from the working gas in the combustion chamber to the cylinder wall by reducing local thermal conductivity of the material during the combustion process, hence reducing the heat loss. The work involved the development of the novel PEO piston coating, and detailed a comparison of engine performance parameters and exhaust emissions characteristics with PEO-coated piston, to those obtained with standard uncoated piston.
