Automotive and Aerospace

Engines

Failure Analysis

Analyzing Graphite Coatings on a Diesel Engine Piston by FT-IR Microscopy

Usually, moving engine parts are coated by a "gliding" agent (i.e. graphene). This not only reduces friction and improves heat dissipation during operation, but also ensures a long life-time of the component. Damages and defects on such coatings can cause critical failure and sudden end-of-life scenarios.

This piston from a diesel engine has only been in operation for a short time. To assess the impact the brief usage had on its graphite coated surface, the piston was investigated by FTIR microscopy. The seemingly clean surface was visually inspected using polarizing filters, which revealed the presence of a fiber-like residue.

Infrared micro spectroscopy helps to assess microscopic contaminants and defects on work-pieces

3D Imaging of the Interior and Exterior of Non-Ferrous Components by XRM

In the pursuit of increased performance and reduced weight, many engine components are made of materials such as Al and Ti. These parts are created with a wide range of manufacturing techniques ranging from casting to additive manufacturing. As the internal complexity of these components is increased, metrological needs require a step beyond conventional planar radiography into the three dimensional realm of XRM. Bruker’s high capacity XRM solutions allow visualization of internal defects and adherence to dimensional specifications.

Lubricants

Engine Oil Monitoring and Lifetime Analysis by FT-IR Spectroscopy

Engine oil and other lubricants always tell a story about the load on the drive train. They absorb unburned soot particles, abrasion and other secondary materials and suspend them in such a way that the moving parts are protected from wear and tear. Infrared spectroscopy provides accurate information about the load and aging of oils and lubricants. This includes:

  • Contained water, fuel, soot, MEG, ...
  • Oxidation, nitration, sulphurization, ...
  • Degradation of additives
These findings can not only help in the development of new lubricants and improved engine setups, but also stimulate the optimization of operating parameters.

Superalloys

Nickel-based Superalloy Microstructure Characterized by EBSD

超级合金是高性能金属合金,它们在高温下保持其性能,接近其熔点。由于其优势强度,腐蚀和抗氧化性在高达1200°C时,它们是高温神秘应用的关键材料,例如航空航天行业。bob综合游戏为了响应对超级合金需求的增长,制造商正在寻求生产较低的成本轻质超合金,并改善氧化和耐腐蚀性,而不会以合金强度为代价。布鲁克(Bruker)提供了一系列的分析工具,可帮助研究人员和制造商通过理解和控制微观结构和化学变化来开发更强大,轻巧的超级合金。布鲁克的创新analytical solutions for SEM and TEM, namely,QUANTAX EDS,Quantax EBSD,QUANTAX WDSandQUNATAX Micro-XRFhelps you investigating the effect of phase precipitation,trace elements concentrations or grain boundaries on superalloys properties.

Here an application example, were we reveal the importance of EDS assisted EBSD measurement in successfully identifying and indexing the different phases, including fine precipitates.

EBSD phase map with EDS assistance

Stress

Residual Stress in Springs

Residual Stress is the strain remaining in a material when no active load is being applied. These strains can be present due to mechanical deformation, such as the process of machining a surface, or kinetically limited heating and cooling. Often times, it is beneficial to produce a compressive residual stress in a surface to increase resistance to fracture propagation. In springs, such as those found in the valves of an engine, the amount of residual stress loading is important in determing their load characteristics and longevity. X-ray Diffraction is regarded as one of the go-to methods for residual stress determination.