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The interaction of three bio-lubricant base oil candidates with seventeen combinations of surface treatment was studied, comparing wear scar volumes and coefficient of friction results. Substrates were initially ground, then a combination of superfinished, Dymon-iC™ DLC, an impact technique of ultra-fine shot blasting method doped with Tin and Molybdenum Disulfide, a calcium based chemical dip containing calcium sulfate and nano fullerene, were used. DLC is well reported to reduce friction. Some reports suggest wear in coated contacts is independent of the type of lubricant used, whilst others report that bio-lubricants offer reduced friction and wear in combination with DLC. Shot blasting can also reduce wear and friction, due to the surface dimples acting as lubricant reservoirs, making hydrodynamic lubrication more likely.

Wear problems will continue to occur with engine components even with changing design and the introduction of novel materials. Very few wear models for engine components exist, however, so it is difficult for engineers to easily establish how materials and components will perform and costly engine testing programs have to be carried out. Those models that do exist are often complex, difficult to use and written in software that is not available within many organisations. The use of browser-enabled software applications is becoming increasingly common in large, multi-location organisations to make the delivery and support of engineering tools more efficient, so it would be beneficial if wear modelling software was available in this format. In this project, work has been carried out to further the development of an existing valve recession model to provide an easy to use variant for use in industry.