CERAMIC ENGINES:MATERIAL PROPERTIES FOR HIGHER PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT

The four stroke reciprocating internal combustion engine has been used as a case study, being that commonly utilized in most automobiles. General properties of ceramics were discussed while exposure was given to some high performance ceramics. theoretical deduction and analysis were then carried out to show improved engine performance using ceramic components. The engine performance parameters considered are (i) power output (ii) mean effective pressure (iii) speed of engine rotation and (iv) mechanical efficiency. Analysis based on ceramic properties showed that ceramics such as silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), zirconia (ZIO2) and titanium oxide (TIO2) proved to have more favourable properties for most engine parts when subjected to engine conditions where they are located as compared to their metallic, steel and alloy counterparts. Though much work has been done in the production of ceramic engines, predictions as to developing (i) adiabatic ceramic engines and (ii) turbo compounded engines show the extent of work that still needs to be done in this area of developing ceramic engines.