Tribological test of additive manufactured material for fuel valve

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to develop a tribological test method för evaluation of material to a diesel valve seat. The goal was to build and develop equipment and a method for this, and to evaluate if the additive manufactured material Vibenite(R)60 suits well for this application. The goal was fulfilled with the development of a test method and comparison testing of standard material and Vibenite(R)60.

Results and expected effects

The wear mechanisms in the tribological test and the real life walve application was similar, and both the additive manufactured Vibenite(R)60 and the standard material showed only minor fatigue wear. The first results points at that Vibenite(R)60 perform at least as good as standard material, but to fully evaluate and compare the material was difficult. Longer tests is necessary to get the extreme fatigue effects, as in real life walve seat.

Approach and implementation

Scania collected data for the fuel walve application and these date was used for development of a application relevant testing. Scania and VBN Components manufactured testing materials. The testing was performed by the Tribomaterial´s group, in line with testing rig development. After this, a nuber of tests were made (up to 14 days long) followed by analysis of contact surfaces. The results were evaluated by all three project parts. A number of difficulties were identified and formulated to ideas for improvement of the tribo rig.