Superlow-Friction Carbon Films for Fuel System Components Operating in Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuels

In this paper, we will demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of a new class of superlow-friction carbon films in alleviating the wear and scuffing problems associated with the use of low-sulfur diesel fuels in fuel delivery systems of advanced diesel engines. Specifically, using a well-established diesel fuel lubricity test machine, we will show that with the use of very thin (1 μm thick), super lubricious carbon films, one can restore lubricity and virtually eliminate scuffing and potential wear failures that can occur in low-sulfur, super-clean, and zero-sulfur (Fischer-Tropsch) diesel fuels. Test results from our study raise the prospect for using such carbon coatings to solve problems associated with the use of low-sulfur diesel fuels and high injection pressures in future engines.