2. Conclusion

This document deals with the four basic forms of wear that can affect the surfaces of the main components of reciprocating internal combustion engines.

Adhesive wear is the most frequent form, and also the most serious. In fact, its quasi-exponential development over time rapidly leads, in most cases, to the destruction of surfaces through seizure. It is favored by an excessive rise in contact temperatures due to high loads and high sliding speeds. Under these conditions, the viscosity of the oil film separating the surfaces rapidly decreases, until the film breaks and brutal metal-to-metal contact occurs. The contacts most susceptible to this type of wear are those of pistons, rings and cylinders, as well as those of timing gears. Engine bearings can also be affected by a severe form of seizure ("connecting rod seizure") in the event of oil supply failure or abnormal...