Internal combustion (IC) engines used in road transport applications employ pistons to convert gas pressure into mechanical work. Frictional losses abound within IC engines, where only 38- 51% of available fuel energy results in useful mechanical work. Piston-bore and ring-bore conjunctions are fairly equally responsible for circa 30% of all engine friction - equivalent to 1.6% of the input fuel each. Therefore, reduction in piston assembly friction would have a direct impact on specific performance and / or fuel consumption. In motorsport, power outputs and duty cycles greatly exceed road applications. Consequently, these engines have a shorter useful life and a high premium is placed on measures which would increase the output power without further reducing engine life. Reduction of friction offers such an opportunity, which may be achieved by improved tribological design in terms of reduced contact area or enhanced lubrication or both. However, the developments in the motorsport sector are typically reactive due to a lack of relative performance or an ad-hoc reliance, based upon a limited number of actual engine tests in order to determine if any improvement can be achieved as the result of some predetermined action. A representative scientific model generally does not exist and as such, investigated parameters are often driven by the supply chain with the promise of improvement. In cylinder investigations are usually limited to bore surface finish, bore and piston geometrical form, piston skirt coatings and the lubricant employed. Of these investigated areas newly emerging surface coatings are arguably seen as predominate. This thesis highlights a scientific approach which has been developed to optimise piston-bore performance. Pre-existing methods of screening and benchmarking alterations have been retained such as engine testing. However, this has been placed in the context of validation of scientifically driven development. A multi-physics numerical model is developed, which combines piston inertial dynamics, as well as thermo-structural strains within a thermoelastohydrodynamic tribological framework. Experimental tests were performed to validate the findings of numerical models. These tests include film thickness measurement and incylinder friction measurement, as well as the numerically-indicated beneficial surface modifications. Experimental testing was performed on an in-house motored engine at Capricorn Automotive, a dynamometer mounted single-cylinder 'fired' engine at Loughborough University, as well as on other engines belonging to third party clients of Capricorn. The diversity of tests was to ascertain the generic nature of any findings. The multi-physics multi-scale combined numerical-experimental investigation is the main contribution of this thesis to knowledge. One major finding of the thesis is the significant role that bulk thermo-structural deformation makes on the contact conformity of piston skirt to cylinder liner contact, thus advising piston skirt design. Another key finding is the beneficial role of textured surfaces in the retention of reservoirs of lubricant, thus reducing friction.

The increased demand in stringent requirements on engineered surfaces in the aerospace and manufacturing industries drove the need for developing advanced surface engineering techniques such as chemical etching, plasma etching, corona discharge and laser surface texturing in order to alter material surface physical and chemical properties. Among these techniques, laser surface texturing has been identified as one of the most efficient and effective surface treatment/ texturing techniques which utilizes laser ablation to meet the demand of practical engineering requirements. This thesis details three practical engineering challenges in the field of paint adhesion, dust adhesion and tribology performance of SPF sheet forming dies in which case the problems and motivation for development came from projects by industrial partner collaborations with BAe Systems, Rolls-Royce and Dyson Ltd. The proposed solutions to these challenges are formulated around laser surface texturing techniques using excimer and femtosecond lasers on three engineering materials which are CFRP, ABS polymer and HR4 nickel alloy. As ablation is the main mechanism used in laser surface texturing techniques in achieving surface property changes, the understanding of laser beam interaction with materials is crucial. The fundamental understanding of laser beam interaction with different materials has been researched since the use of lasers in practical engineering applications by which laser material interaction parameters such as ablation threshold, incubation coefficient and optical penetration depth are of primary interest in addition to the ablation rate. Currently the published literatures are either material specific or laser specific with minimal or zero comparison between different types of lasers and materials as such which limits the understanding of laser beam interaction with materials. In addition, laser beam interaction with polymers has always been done using ultraviolet wavelength lasers. In this thesis, the interaction between two types of lasers and three types of materials which includes metals and polymers are presented through comparison and discussion between different interactions. It has been discovered that the ablation threshold value is lower for ABSinteraction with excimer laser as compared to the interaction with femtosecond laser due to the difference in the ablation mechanism. The optical penetration depth value is higher for ABS interaction with the excimer laser as compared to the interaction with the femtosecond laser due to differences in the photon energy of the laser beam of different wavelength. Two ablation rate curves were identified on ABS interaction with infrared wavelength femtosecond laser beams which has not been reported before. Chemical composition of the laser treated layer changes through chain scission process, creating free radical carbons that reacted with oxygen, nitrogen and water vapour in air creating oxygen and nitrogen rich functional groups which increased with increasing laser fluence and number of pulses. Laser ablation is known for its capability of altering surface morphology and surface chemistry of materials through excitation of electrons causing bond scission or melt where materials are vaporised, ejected or undergo chemical compositional changes. In the case of polymers, addition of oxygen and nitrogen rich functional groups are identified whereas in the case of metals, changes in crystallographic, orientation and oxidation states are identified. Such changes are deemed ideal for applications such as adhesion where it is mainly used for bonding and joining of similar or dissimilar materials. In this research, excimer laser surface treatment showed improvement in CFRP paint adhesion where a better adhesion is achieved than sand-papered surfaces. Paint adhesion of CFRP surfaces is affected by surface contaminants, surface chemical composition and surface roughness where the degree of inuence is in the respective order. In addition, excimer and femtosecond laser surface treated ABS also improved dust adhesion. The main factors that affect the ABS surface dust adhesion performance are surface roughness and surface chemical composition. The increase in surface roughness increases the surface area available for dust to adhere to. In addition, it also increases the drag coefficient of the air flow results in a higher removal force exerted by the air flow onto the dust particles through changes in the localised aerodynamic flow. The increase in polar functional groups increases the adhesion of the dust particles onto the surface due to an induced dipole moment by the charged dust particles. Laser micro-dimpled surfaces have been reported to be effective in reducing friction coefficient and wear rate of surfaces under oil lubricated conformal contact conditions where the dimples act as reservoirs to store lubricant and wear particles. But such surfaces have not been extensively researched under non-conformal contact conditions for different lubricated environments. In addition, there are contradictory results found between published literatures which observe under similar wear environments and conditions but with different dimple geometry. Hence a detailed investigation on dimpled surfaces under non-conformal contact conditions is being carried out. Laser surface texturing of 100 μm size dimples shows a reduction in nickel alloy wear rate under dry and oil lubricated environments. A higher dimple area ratio reduces the wear rate under dry condition with abrasive wear as the main wear mechanism. Under oil lubricated environments, the friction coefficient is dependent on the surface contact pressure, sliding speed and the viscosity of the lubricant and the wear rate is dependent on the film thickness which correlates to the friction coefficient. The wear rate of a dimpled surface is dependent on three factors which are the dimple diameter to contact area diameter ratio, depth of the dimple produced and the density of the dimples. Positive results are obtained in all three engineering applications indicating the feasibility of laser surface texturing techniques in providing suitable material surface properties for these applications.

Les émissions de polluants dans l’atmosphère représentent l’un des objectifs majeurs à l'heure actuelle. Dans le domaine automobile, la réduction des émissions de CO2 repose en partie sur l’amélioration du rendement moteur. Pour ce faire, ces travaux de thèse sur la texturation de surface à micro et nano échelle proposent de diminuer les pertes par frottements dans les moteurs thermiques alternatifs à combustion interne. Le poste moteur retenu dans cette thèse est le segment/piston/chemise car près de 40 % des pertes par frottement y sont générées. On s’intéresse à la texturation par LASER femtoseconde de cavités sur la surface du segment coup de feu. Le comportement tribologique de surfaces texturées est étudié en régime ElastoHydroDynamique (EHD) et Limite. En régime EHD, la capacité de formation d’un film lubrifiant et le contrôle du frottement en surface texturée indique un comportement tribologique dépendant du couplage entre les paramètres expérimentaux - cinématique des surfaces, pression de contact, taux de rétention en huile et temps de résidence des textures dans le contact et les paramètres géométriques - diamètre, profondeur, densité de textures. En régime Limite, l’influence des textures sur le comportement tribologique a permis de confirmer l’hypothèse sur le rôle de piégeage des débris par les cavités et de mettre en évidence des configurations de réseaux réduisant le coefficient de frottement pour des profondeurs faibles. / Nowadays pollutant emissions in the atmosphere are at stake. In the field of automotive industry, the reduction of CO2 emissions lies mostly on improving engine efficiency. This study about textured surface on micro- and nano-scale aims to diminish the friction losses in internal combustion engine.The main element is the piston ring pack because of the creation of 40 percent in friction losses. This analysis consists in LASER texturing with cavities on the surface of the first piston ring. The tribological behavior of textured surfaces is lead in Boundary and ElastoHydroDynamic (EHD) regime. In EHD regime the impact on load capacity of lubricant and frictional behavior in textured surface show linking between experimental parameters as surfaces cinematic, contact pressure, retention volume of oil, the dwelling time of cavities and the geometrical parameters as diameter, cavity depth and cavity density. In Boundary lubrication, the effect of cavities on tribological behavior has led to confirm the hypothesis of trapped debris in the cavities and to make in evidence swallow network of cavities reducing friction coefficient.

Neste trabalho foram realizadas otimizações no processo de fabricação de micro cavidades na superfície do aço DIN 16MnCr5, com o objetivo de reduzir o coeficiente de atrito dinâmico entre duas superfícies. Para a confecção das micro cavidades (dimples) foi utilizado um laser com pulsos ultracurtos, de largura temporal de algumas dezenas de femtossegundos. Além de estudos de variação de fluência do laser, também foi analisado o resultado da utilização de diferentes perfis de energia do feixe. Para a caracterização das micro cavidades, foram utilizadas técnicas como a microscopia eletrônica de varredura, para análise morfológica, interferometria de luz branca e microscopia confocal para análise topográfica, dimensional e perfilométrica. Foram realizados ensaios de desgaste, em tribômetro para análise da variação do coeficiente de atrito após a texturização. Após os ensaios, percebeu-se que a texturização com pulsos ultracurtos apresenta grande vantagem na confecção de micro cavidades devido a precisão e ausência de interação térmica entre o laser e o material. Em relação ao atrito, as amostras texturizadas apresentaram redução da força e do coeficiente de atrito, porém, foram observados sinais de aumento da pressão de contato entre as superfícies. / In this work, optimizations were realized in the dimples manufacturing process on DIN 16MnCr5 steel surface, the target were to reduce the coefficient of dynamic friction between two surfaces. A laser with ultrashort pulses, temporal width of a few tens of femtoseconds, was used to manufacture dimples. In addition to studies of variation of laser beam fluency, the results of the use of different beam energy profiles were also analyzed. For analysis of dimples, techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for morphological analysis, white light interferometry and confocal surface microscopy were used for topographic, dimensional and perfilometry. Wear tests were performed to analyze the variation of the friction coefficient in texturing surface. After the tests, it was observed that the texturing with ultrashort pulses presents a great advantage in manufacturing of dimples, due to the precision and absence of thermal interaction between the laser beam and the material. In relation to the friction coefficient, the textured samples presented a reduction of the friction force and consequently of the friction coefficient, but an increase in the contact pressure between the studied surfaces was observed.

Neste trabalho foram realizadas otimizações no processo de fabricação de micro cavidades na superfície do aço DIN 16MnCr5, com o objetivo de reduzir o coeficiente de atrito dinâmico entre duas superfícies. Para a confecção das micro cavidades (dimples) foi utilizado um laser com pulsos ultracurtos, de largura temporal de algumas dezenas de femtossegundos. Além de estudos de variação de fluência do laser, também foi analisado o resultado da utilização de diferentes perfis de energia do feixe. Para a caracterização das micro cavidades, foram utilizadas técnicas como a microscopia eletrônica de varredura, para análise morfológica, interferometria de luz branca e microscopia confocal para análise topográfica, dimensional e perfilométrica. Foram realizados ensaios de desgaste, em tribômetro para análise da variação do coeficiente de atrito após a texturização. Após os ensaios, percebeu-se que a texturização com pulsos ultracurtos apresenta grande vantagem na confecção de micro cavidades devido a precisão e ausência de interação térmica entre o laser e o material. Em relação ao atrito, as amostras texturizadas apresentaram redução da força e do coeficiente de atrito, porém, foram observados sinais de aumento da pressão de contato entre as superfícies. / In this work, optimizations were realized in the dimples manufacturing process on DIN 16MnCr5 steel surface, the target were to reduce the coefficient of dynamic friction between two surfaces. A laser with ultrashort pulses, temporal width of a few tens of femtoseconds, was used to manufacture dimples. In addition to studies of variation of laser beam fluency, the results of the use of different beam energy profiles were also analyzed. For analysis of dimples, techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for morphological analysis, white light interferometry and confocal surface microscopy were used for topographic, dimensional and perfilometry. Wear tests were performed to analyze the variation of the friction coefficient in texturing surface. After the tests, it was observed that the texturing with ultrashort pulses presents a great advantage in manufacturing of dimples, due to the precision and absence of thermal interaction between the laser beam and the material. In relation to the friction coefficient, the textured samples presented a reduction of the friction force and consequently of the friction coefficient, but an increase in the contact pressure between the studied surfaces was observed.

L'adhésion des revêtements est l'objectif premier de tout système afin de pouvoir apporter les propriétés de surface voulues par projection thermique. De façon conventionnelle, des traitements de sablage sont régulièrement employés afin de promouvoir des phénomènes d'ancrage mécanique entre les deux matériaux mis en contact.Néanmoins, selon la nature même des matériaux, un certain nombre de limitations peuvent être observées aussi bien d'un point de vue usage que tenue. Une fragilisation des surfaces peut en effet être remarquée dès lors qu'ils'agit du traitement de matériaux ductiles. Pour palier certaines de ces contraintes, des traitements palliatifs sont alors recherchés parmi lesquels les traitements laser apparaissent particulièrement bénéfiques dont la texturation laser. Les revêtements barrière thermique sont l'application visée de cette étude avec comme objectif une optimisation de leur durabilité à chaud (oxydation, fluage). Une sous-couche d'accroche est habituellement déposée mais les modes d'endommagement recensés semblent se concentrer autour de cette dernière. L'objectif de c etravail a donc visé à remplacer la sous-couche par une topographie de surface spécifique du substrat générée partexturation laser et permettant un ancrage mécanique suffisant aux chargement mécaniques et thermiques subis par les aubes de turbines hautes températures.Lors de l'interaction laser-matière, une élévation en température de l'extrême surface jusqu'à la température defusion et de vaporisation du matériau peut être observée et permettre la formation de motifs. Les dimensions de tels motifs sont donc liées à l¿énergie par impulsion et au nombre d¿impulsions. Pour valider de tels effets, les mécanismes de perçage ont donc été étudiés grâce à une modélisation thermo hydraulique et une validation postmortem des échantillons. Les dimensions des motifs alors contrôlées, le remplissage des surfaces texturées par des particules fondues projetées par le procédé APS a été étudié afin de minimiser le nombre de défauts proche de l'interface. Deux modes de rupture ont pu être identifiés en fonction de la morphologie de surface pour descontraintes de traction et de cisaillement. Les fissures se propagent à l'interface jusqu'à avoir des changements dedirection. L'énergie de propagation de la fissure augmente donc jusqu'à atteindre une valeur limite correspondant àla ténacité du revêtement. Dans ce cas, la tenue n'est pas fonction de la surface totale en contact mais de larépartition spatiale et l'ouverture des motifs, la seule limite de la tenue du revêtement restant la cohésion du dépôt.D'un point de vue applicatif, le but de cette étude a été de caractériser les modes d'endommagements de systèmes barrière thermique sans sous-couche pour des conditions rencontrées en service. Les mécanismes d'endommagement dus à l'oxydation et à l'allongement viscoplastique à 1100C ont donc été isolés par des essais àdes flux thermiques isothermes et cyclés, de fluage et de fatigue thermomécanique. Le traitement laser modifiant localement la microstructure des surfaces, une modification des couches d'oxydes a tout d'abord pu être identifiée.En effet, contrairement aux traitements conventionnels où la croissance d'oxyde n'est pas constante (point limitant de la durée de vie du système), l'apparition de spinelles et d'une couche dense d'alumine protectrice en surface des matériaux texturés a pu être observée. L'ancrage mécanique ainsi créé a démontré alors une durée de vie nettement améliorée face à des conditions extrêmes. / Coating adhesion is requiered to rpomote specific surface properties by thermal spraying. Conventional prior-surface treatments have been developed to create anchoring zones but the adhesion strenght and their applications are limited. Laser surface texturing increases and adapts the adhesion surface. Therefore, two interface failure modes have been related to texture morphologies for tensile and shear stresses. The energy released rate at the interface increases up to coating toughness when the crack path is sharp. Mixed-mode failures have been observed with adhesive and cohesive cracks around and above pattern respectively. So, the adhesion stengyh is function of the contact aera precisely linked to pattern distribution and morphology. Thermal barrier coating system without bond coat life-span has been evaluated for thermomechanical stresses (YSZ coating on single crystal based Nickel). The bond coat has been remplaced by an adapted substrate surface topography. According ti the laser parameters (energy per pulse, pulse numbers) pattern morphology can be created. Therefore, textured surface filling by melted particles has been studies to minimize interface defaults and created mixed-mode failures for during plasma spray coatings. The drilling mechanisms have been evaluated by numerical modeling and experimental analysis. The pattern dimensions and heat affected zones has been identified. The laser treatment changes the microstructure locally.Oxydation tests have been performed to study the surface pre-tratments effects on oxide nature and mass gain rate. The damaging mechanisms ave been studied under isotherm and cyclic high temperature tests and also under creeping and thermo-mechanical fatigue tests. Grit-blasting change the natural oxides, limits life-span and bucking failure mode have been obeserved. Natural oxides have been analyzed for the textured substraes also but anchoring mechanism enables large life-span under high temperature tests. Mechanical applied stresses (constant and cyclic) validate the beneficial effects of patterned surfaces. The interface is stronger than the coating toughness and the patterns do not create early cracks under thermo-mechanical solicitations.

In the present paper the preliminary results of the potentialities that surface texturing has in improving the coupling of lubricated surfaces in relative motion is presented. This kind surface engineering requires careful design of the geometry to obtain relevant improvements; therefore, it is useful to study in detail the behavior of the fluid confined between the coupled surfaces by means of CFD analysis. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of dimples created on one of the two coupled surfaces and to observe the variation of tribological properties as their principal design parameters vary, such as dimple shape, size and spatial distribution. Furthermore, simulations have been carried out with different sliding velocities and fluid temperatures to analyze the effects that these variables have on the tribological performance of the textured surface. The simulations also consider the presence of cavitation and the influence of this phenomenon on the overall behavior of the textured surface is evaluated.