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Thermal Barrier Coating (TBCs) is one of the most promising technologies for reducing heat dissipation through the combustion chamber in Internal Combustion (IC) Engines. In this paper, Gadolinium Zirconate (GZ) was chosen as a coating material and prepared using a solid-state synthesis process. Cast iron (GJL 300) was selected as the substrate, which is predominantly used as the cylinder head material, and GZ was deposited using Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition technique (EB-PVD). The mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties were evaluated as per the ASTM standards. Improved hardness and wear resistance is noted on coated substrates. The thermal conductivity and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) of the coated substrates decreased by 3.43% and 5.03% respectively when compared with uncoated substrates. Hence, it is confirmed that thin-film TBCs has potential to provide the thermal and wear protection inside the combustion chamber of IC engines.

In this experimental study, an attempt is made to enhance the performance characteristics of diesel fuel with two different natural additives (NA). Borassus Flabelifer (NB1) and Oryza Sativa straws (NB2) were chosen as natural additives. The selected natural additives were milled for 150 hours using a planetary ball mill and their particle sizes ranging from 120 to 125 nm. The milled natural additives were doped into neat diesel using a magnetic stirrer followed by ultrasonication and their stability was ascertained. The presence of high carbon and oxygen content was noted on EDS results of milled powder. The properties of fuel were analyzed as per ASTM standards and it was observed that there was a marginal decrease in calorific value, flash point, and fire point of the fuel.

Heat energy produced in the combustion chamber of an IC engine cannot be completely converted into useful work due to heat transfer losses. This leads to a fall in the performance of the engine. To overcome this, pistons have been coated with different materials like molybdenum disulphide, chromium nitrides and other materials. These thermal barrier coatings have improved the performance of the engine by preventing heat loss. In this experiment, the performance and emission characteristics of a tungsten carbide coated piston was investigated. WC was coated on the piston surface by EB-PVD Process. The WC coated piston was tested in an MK20 engine using an eddy current dynamometer. The performance of uncoated and WC coated pistons were compared and analyzed. An increase in combustion chamber temperature was obtained while using WC coated piston, which was observed by increased exhaust gas temperature.