Eifeler PVD Coatings Reduce Energy Losses
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Fuel economy has become ever more important. Reducing weight and friction losses are major consideration for majority of automotive manufacturers.

Lighter alloy materials, typically aluminum, titanium and magnesium alloys, have substituted carbon steel or cast iron in traditional components. These new low friction coatings offer exceptional tribological properties in applications such as these in comparison to ceramic coatings such as CrN. Piston liner assembly, valve train system and engine bearings are three major sources of friction losses. From all of them the value train system is the second important friction source in the engine.

PVD coatings as a solution meet demanding economic and ecological requirements. Many components of valve trains are now PVD coated with low friction coatings to reduce energy losses. The low friction coating offers a much lower friction coefficient than the uncoated oil lubricated part and higher wear resistance. Increased manufacturers take advantages of PVD coating.