The advantages of the crankcase
The all-aluminium crankcase is a chill-cast
unit which excels with outstanding material
properties. In this process the molten
aluminium is poured into the metallic mould
using the effect of gravity.
Thanks to its good thermal conductivity, the
water-cooled mould allows rapid cooling and
solidification of the melt.
The result is a fine-grained, dense structure
that guarantees very high strength. Complex
interior geometries can be realised with the
help of enclosed sand cores.
The so-called closed-deck construction
– a design from motor racing ensures
outstanding rigidity with low weight, and
allows peak combustion pressures of up to
160 bar.
The areas around the cylinders are mostly
solid, and the cover plate is only penetrated
by smaller ducts for the coolant and engine
oil.
The crank assembly with a lightweight,
forged steel crankshaft and forged aluminium
pistons with optimised piston rings combines
low friction with high strength.
The maximum engine speed is 7200 rpm, and
peak output is developed at 6750 rpm.
The sump features baffle plates so that
despite the larger sump, and even under
high lateral acceleration forces, there is
always sufficient engine oil to lubricate all the
relevant components.
Why the cylinder liners are coated with
NANOSLIDE
To reduce friction between the pistons
and cylinders, the linings are coated using
patented NANOSLIDE technology. This gives
the linings a mirror-like surface for minimal
friction, is twice as hard as conventional
grey cast-iron liners and therefore makes
them much more durable. NANOSLIDE was
developed by Daimler AG, and is protected by
more than 90 patent families and more than
40 patents.
The coating was first used for AMG’s M 156
engine, has benefitted further AMG engines
for many years and can also be found in the
Formula 1 engine of Mercedes AMG Petronas
Motorsport.
More information about
Mercedes-Benz is available online
at: www.media.daimler.com,
www.media.mercedes-benz.comand
www.mercedes-benz.com
Issue 41 PECM
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