The cylinder in automotive engines

The cylinder

Structures and functions

The cylinder block is the basic framework of a car engine. It supports and

holds all the other engine components. Figure 2.1 shows a typical cylinder

block without an integrated crankcase. Figure 2.2 shows the block with the upper part of the crankcase included. Figure 2.31 schematically illustrates the relative positions of the cylinder, piston and piston ring. The cylinder is a large hole machined in the cylinder block, surrounded by the cylinder wall. 

The piston rapidly travels back and forth in the cylinder under combustion pressure. The cylinder wall guides the moving piston, receives the combustion pressure, and conveys combustion heat outside the engine. Figure 2.4 gives an analysis of the materials needed for a cylinder with high output power and summarizes the reasons why a specific material or technology is chosen to fulfil a required function. A more detailed description is given in Appendix B.

The science and technology of materials in automotive engines

Hiroshi Yamagata

Woodhead Publishing and Maney Publishing

on behalf of

The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining

CRC Press

Boca Raton Boston New York Washington, DC

WOODHEAD PUBLISHING LIMITED

Cambridge England