Experimentation to Reduce Friction from Novel Abrasive Tape Polishing Method

The aim is to develop and improve a finishing process that allows reduced CO2 emissions, through
reduced use of carbon-based fuels, achieving improvement in fuel consumption. The improved
microfinishing process will provide a reduction in surface friction on bearing surfaces and improve wear resistance of the components. The aim of this experimentation is to reduce the friction on the crank shaft journals using specified parameters and specially designed abrasive tape.
The micro finishing development will focus on a novel polishing process using abrasive tape to
achieve nanometre level surface finish. It was noticed that such a process can dramatically improve component tribological performance, which have great impacts on energy consumption and CO2
emission. It is an urgent requirement to investigate the material removal mechanism of micro finishing process so that the quality of finishing surface can be improved consistently and effectively. Significant challenges include (a) detailed knowledge of nano-material removal, (b) understanding the tribological behaviours in relation to surface topography and surface compound created under micro finishing process, (c) the strategy of selection of micro finishing conditions for optimum surface, (d) the
selection of suitable sensing techniques for process monitoring and control, (e) establishment of relationship between polished surface topography and CO2 emissions.