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This research focuses on study of feasibility of using ceramic oxide coatings on the cylinder wall of hypoeutectic aluminum silicon alloy engine blocks. Coatings are achieved in an aqueous electrolytic bath and composed of both alpha and gamma phases of Al2O3 and have shown promising wear resistance. Composition and acidity level of the electrolyte creates a variation of surface roughness, coating hardness and thickness which has direct influence on the wear behavior of the sliding surfaces. The effect of load bearing and coating morphology on coefficient of friction was studied. SEM images of the substrate showed no predominant wear behavior or delamination. Coefficient of friction and wear rate were also measured. This study shows the importance of surface structure on oil retention and wear rate. Coarser coatings can be desirable under starved oil condition since they show lower coefficient of friction.

The need for green energy and less fuel consumption is a non-stop demand for researchers and academia from the industry and the automotive market. Several solutions were found and some are being practiced and commercialized. Plasma Electrolyte Oxidation (PEO) technique is a fast growing approach to resolve the weight load in automotive industry by creating a thin layer of a ceramic coating on lighter alloys such as aluminum for different parts like engine blocks. Of course in a hot and corrosive environment such as an engine, the main concern would be corrosion and wear effects on the engine. The goal of this research is to study the effect of different factors such as solution type, power input variations and coating thickness on wear resistance of aluminum Al 319.