Abstract
In an attempt to increase the wear resistance of automotive powertrain components, General Motors Research and Development Center initiated a study to determine the potential of surface modification as a means of improving the tribological properties of highly eutectic aluminum alloys, and to investigate feasibility of their mass production. In particular, plasma immersion ion implantation technique was employed to develop diamond-like hydrocarbon coating of aluminum 390 alloy and the coating's performance was verified both in a bench and in an engine dynamometer test.