An Investigation of Metal and Ceramic Thermal Barrier Coatings in a Spark-ignition Engine

Surface temperature and heat flux measurements were made in a single cylinder SI engine piston when uncoated and with two different surface coatings: a metal TBC and YSZ. A new thermocouple was developed to accurately measure surface temperatures. The engine was operated in a standard full load mode and a knock promoting mode featuring heated intake air and advanced spark timing. Cylinder pressures were measured to quantify knock. It was found that average heat flux into the piston substrate was 33 % higher with the metal TBC and unchanged with the YSZ relative to the uncoated surface. The increase with the metal TBC was attributed to its surface roughness. However, the metal TBC and YSZ reduced peak heat flux by 69 and 77 %, respectively. Both the metal TBC and YSZ reduced knock compared to the uncoated surface. After testing, the metal TBC was undamaged and the YSZ was slightly chipped.MAS