CERAMICS IN RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

While there has been a wealth of technical literature in recent years expounding the theoretical benefits of the use of ceramic material for components in reciprocating internal combustion engines, the amount of literature which describes practical results is small, and this is often characterised by descriptions of catastrophic failures, although successes have been achieved and ceramic components are now in service in production engines. This paper combines Ricardo's own experience in this field with a study of the literature, and by the use of further theoretical analysis shows the areas where ceramics are likely to be employed in reciprocating engines in the future. It quantifies the gains in efficiency which are possible when ceramics are employed both to reduce engine friction and to reduce heat losses. The paper also considers the economic implications of the use of ceramics together with the effect on engine performance.