Au­to­mo­tive

In the construction and design of vehicle components, wear-related challenges arise in many cases.
Due to the large number of moving parts and the fact that vehicles are generally exposed to wind and weather, there are numerous points of attack for wear mechanisms. Engines and turbocharger components in particular are susceptible to abrasive, high-temperature, vibratory fretting wear and hot gas corrosion.
One possibility for engineers in vehicle construction to prevent and minimize wear is boronizing. In the following, a few application areas that are frequently affected by wear are presented as examples.

In automotive engineering, and there especially in turbocharger construction, the use of the BOROCOAT® process is a proven method of wear protection. The boride coatings are temperature-resistant up to 1000° C (1830° F) and offer excellent protection for parts made of nickel-based alloys. For example, components of modern variable turbine geometry (VTG) superchargers such as guide vanes and variable pitch rings are borided. Boronizing prevents wear of the shift gate and ensures operational reliability for the lifetime of an automobile.
Further applications are found in turbocharger shift linkages, where the positive properties of boride coatings are particularly evident on the hot gas side of the turbocharger.

In turbocharger manufacturing, for example, foreign body damage to the compressor wheel and compressor is a common problem. Materials loosened from the crankcase ventilation can lead to damage, and abrasive wear on the compressor blades is also a common problem. Effects can include smoke generation, loss of power, noise generation and damage to the intercooler. Other affected parts can include turbine wheels and turbine housings. Many of these problems can be reduced or eliminated altogether by hardening the components used. In principle, turbochargers are not wearing parts and, with regular inspection and maintenance, should last the life of the engine. Components refined with BORINOX® contribute to this goal. The use of hardened stainless steel for coupling rods in and on the turbocharger is particularly promising.

Bearing journals are frequently affected by wear due to fretting corrosion. Bearing journals are used to connect various components together and, due to their function, are frequently affected by abrasion and surface disruption. Similar problems can also occur with other products used to connect components. Examples include link pins, link plates, disc springs and coupling rods.