What is a commonly used material for piston rings in today’s overhauled engines?

Steel is a commonly used material for piston rings in modern overhauled engines due to its excellent mechanical properties. When designed specifically for this application, steel offers high tensile strength, good wear resistance, and the ability to maintain a reliable seal between the piston and the cylinder wall. This sealing is crucial for maintaining engine compression and minimizing blow-by, which helps to improve engine efficiency and performance.

Additionally, the use of steel helps to withstand the high pressures and temperatures found in combustion chambers. Steel piston rings can also be coated with various materials to enhance their performance characteristics, such as reducing friction or improving wear resistance, which further contributes to their prevalence in engine design.

While aluminum is lightweight and has some applications in engine components, it does not offer the same durability and wear resistance needed for piston rings. Plastic materials are typically not used in high-stress applications like piston rings due to their lower strength and potential for deformation under heat. Copper, although it has excellent thermal conductivity, is not as suitable for this application because it is softer and does not provide the necessary rigidity and wear resistance required for piston rings.