Alu-coated

Piston Rings

Typical appearance of an alu-coated top piston ring for

an MAN B&W MCengine

Cross section of an alu-coated piston ring. The yellow

bronze is clearly visible along with the black alumina
oxides

Alu-coat is a bronze-based coating with

Retrofitting benefits are multiple

alumina oxide insolubles, it was developed

Not only does alu-coat eliminate the piston

in the late 1990s to shorten the running-in

ring running-in time when fitted in a previ-

time of new MAN B&W MC engines.

ously used liner. The coating also offers an

extra safety margin when dealing with op-

MAN Diesel introduced alu-coat based on

erational problems. This process normally

its effective running-in features for honed

takes 500 to 2,000 hours (depending on the

and semi-honed liners. A wealth of experi-

conditions).

ence and a 100% success rate set alu-coat

apart as the no. 1 running-in coating choice.

The slightly abrasive effect of alu-coated

Alu-coat reduces shop trial times and cre-

piston rings makes them very suitable when

ates a safe and reliable running-in period.

changing worn piston rings in connection

Today, alu-coated rings are used in new en-

with piston overhauls. A liner which has

gines as well as for retrofit in older engines

been operating with worn rings normally

with honed and semi-honed liners. Alu-coat

shows signs of blow by lacquer marks and/

also reduces the cylinder oil consumption

or local bore polish. Alu-coat contributes to

during running-in.

some running-in liner wear on a micro scale,

wich is normally enough to re-establish the

The right profile for the job

important open-grain structure of the liner

Alu-coat is a semi-soft, thermally sprayed

that is vital for the tribology of the liner/oil/

coating, approximately 0.25 mm thick. It

piston ring system.

comes as sprayed, which gives a somewhat rough appearance, but forms a smooth,
profiled running surface very rapidly.
The soft matrix at the coating allows the
hard insolubles to protrude onto the running surface of the rings and act in a slightly
abrasive way on the running surface of the
liner. The matrix also serves as a safety
buffer that prevents initial scuffing problems
until running-in is complete.

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MAN
MAN
Diesel
Diesel Subject
Subject
to to
modification
modification
in in
thethe
interest
interest
of of
technical
technical
progress.
progress. 3010-0000-00ppr
3010-0018-01ppr
Mmm
Jan 20XX
2010 Printed in Denmark

MAN Diesel
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