Red marquis at 04:54, 2 March 2010

2010-03-02T04:54:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:54, 2 March 2010
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	'''Nikasil''' is a trademarked electrodeposited lipophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating for engine components, mainly [[piston engine]] [[cylinder liner]]s. It was introduced by Mahle GmbH in 1967, initially developed to allow [[rotary engine]] apex seals ([[NSU Ro80]] and [[C111]]) to work directly against the aluminum [[Engine housing\|housing]]. This coating allowed aluminum [[Cylinder (engine)\|cylinder]]s and [[piston]]s to work directly against each other with low wear and friction. Unlike other methods, including cast iron cylinder liners, Nikasil allowed very large cylinder bores with tight tolerances and thus allowed existing engine designs to be expanded easily, the aluminium cylinders also gave a much better heat conductivity than cast iron liners, which is an important factor for a high output engine. The coating was further developed by US Chrome Corporation in the USA in the early 1990s (under the trade name of "Nicom"), as a replacement for hard-chrome plated cylinder bores for Mecury Marine Racing, Kohler Engines, and as a repair replacement for factory-chromed snowmobiles, dirt bikes, ATVs, watercraft and automotive V8 liners/bores.		'''Nikasil''' is a trademarked electrodeposited lipophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating for engine components, mainly [[piston engine]] [[cylinder liner]]s. It was introduced by Mahle GmbH in 1967, initially developed to allow [[rotary engine]] apex seals ([[NSU Ro80]] and [[C111]]) to work directly against the aluminum [[Engine housing\|housing]]. This coating allowed aluminum [[Cylinder (engine)\|cylinder]]s and [[piston]]s to work directly against each other with low wear and friction. Unlike other methods, including cast iron cylinder liners, Nikasil allowed very large cylinder bores with tight tolerances and thus allowed existing engine designs to be expanded easily, the aluminium cylinders also gave a much better heat conductivity than cast iron liners, which is an important factor for a high output engine. The coating was further developed by US Chrome Corporation in the USA in the early 1990s (under the trade name of "Nicom"), as a replacement for hard-chrome plated cylinder bores for Mecury Marine Racing, Kohler Engines, and as a repair replacement for factory-chromed snowmobiles, dirt bikes, ATVs, watercraft and automotive V8 liners/bores.

	[[Porsche]] started using this on the 1970 [[Porsche 917\|917]] race car, and later on the 1973 [[Porsche 911#911 Carrera RS (1973 and 1974)\|911 RS]]. Porsche also used it on production cars, but for a short time switched to [[Alusil]] due to cost savings for their base [[Porsche 911\|911]]. Nikasil cylinders were always used for the [[Porsche 911#Type 930 / 911 Turbo (1975-1989)\|911 Turbo]] and RS models. Nikasil coated aluminum cylinders allowed Porsche to build [[air-cooled engine]]s that had the highest specific output ~~<references/>~~ of any engine of their time. Nikasil is still used in today's 911s with great success.		[[Porsche]] started using this on the 1970 [[Porsche 917\|917]] race car, and later on the 1973 [[Porsche 911#911 Carrera RS (1973 and 1974)\|911 RS]]. Porsche also used it on production cars, but for a short time switched to [[Alusil]] due to cost savings for their base [[Porsche 911\|911]]. Nikasil cylinders were always used for the [[Porsche 911#Type 930 / 911 Turbo (1975-1989)\|911 Turbo]] and RS models. Nikasil coated aluminum cylinders allowed Porsche to build [[air-cooled engine]]s that had the highest specific output of any engine of their time. Nikasil is still used in today's 911s with great success.

	Nikasil was very popular in the 1990s. It was used by companies such as [[BMW]], [[Ferrari]] and [[Jaguar]] in their new engine families. However, the sulfur found in much of the world's low quality gasoline caused some Nikasil cylinders to break down over time [http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/Nikasil.html], causing costly engine failures.		Nikasil was very popular in the 1990s. It was used by companies such as [[BMW]], [[Ferrari]] and [[Jaguar]] in their new engine families. However, the sulfur found in much of the world's low quality gasoline caused some Nikasil cylinders to break down over time [http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/Nikasil.html], causing costly engine failures.

Red marquis at 04:53, 2 March 2010

2010-03-02T04:53:02Z

New page

'''Nikasil''' is a trademarked electrodeposited lipophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating for engine components, mainly [[piston engine]] [[cylinder liner]]s. It was introduced by Mahle GmbH in 1967, initially developed to allow [[rotary engine]] apex seals ([[NSU Ro80]] and [[C111]]) to work directly against the aluminum [[Engine housing|housing]]. This coating allowed aluminum [[Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]]s and [[piston]]s to work directly against each other with low wear and friction. Unlike other methods, including cast iron cylinder liners, Nikasil allowed very large cylinder bores with tight tolerances and thus allowed existing engine designs to be expanded easily, the aluminium cylinders also gave a much better heat conductivity than cast iron liners, which is an important factor for a high output engine. The coating was further developed by US Chrome Corporation in the USA in the early 1990s (under the trade name of "Nicom"), as a replacement for hard-chrome plated cylinder bores for Mecury Marine Racing, Kohler Engines, and as a repair replacement for factory-chromed snowmobiles, dirt bikes, ATVs, watercraft and automotive V8 liners/bores.

[[Porsche]] started using this on the 1970 [[Porsche 917|917]] race car, and later on the 1973 [[Porsche 911#911 Carrera RS (1973 and 1974)|911 RS]]. Porsche also used it on production cars, but for a short time switched to [[Alusil]] due to cost savings for their base [[Porsche 911|911]]. Nikasil cylinders were always used for the [[Porsche 911#Type 930 / 911 Turbo (1975-1989)|911 Turbo]] and RS models. Nikasil coated aluminum cylinders allowed Porsche to build [[air-cooled engine]]s that had the highest specific output <references/> of any engine of their time. Nikasil is still used in today's 911s with great success.

Nikasil was very popular in the 1990s. It was used by companies such as [[BMW]], [[Ferrari]] and [[Jaguar]] in their new engine families. However, the sulfur found in much of the world's low quality gasoline caused some Nikasil cylinders to break down over time [http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/Nikasil.html], causing costly engine failures.

Nikasil or similar coatings under other trademarks are also still widely used in racing engines, including those used in [[Formula One]] and [[ChampCar]]. Suzuki currently uses a race-proven nickel phosphorus-silicon-carbide proprietary coating trademarked SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) to maximize cylinder size and improve heat dissipation, e.g., on the engine of the Suzuki TL1000S and Suzuki DL650 V-Strom and Hayabusa motorcycles <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/suzuki-vstrom-650-17909.html | title= Suzuki V-Strom 650, Sean Alexander, Mar. 21, 2004| work= www.Motorcycle.org }}</ref>.

Engines using Nikasil:

* Chevrolet [[GM_LT_engine#LT5 | LT5]] engine, designed by [[Lotus Cars| Lotus]] and used exclusively in the [[Chevrolet_Corvette_C6_ZR1 | Corvette ZR-1]]
* [[Chevrolet Vega]] 2.3l, and 2.0l Cosworth fours
* [[Citroën Visa]] twin
* [[Citroën GS]] birotor wankel engine made by [[Comotor]]
* [[BMW M52]] [[Straight-six engine|I6]], except exports to North America
* [[BMW M52TU]] [[Straight-six engine|I6]], same as M52 except with VVT on both camshafts
* [[BMW M60]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
* [[Ferrari F50]] [[V12 engine|V12]]
* [[Ford RS200]]
* [[Jaguar AJ-V8 engine|Jaguar AJ-V8]], 1997 - 2000 (XK series VIN range 001036-042775, XJ V8 series VIN 812256-878717) <ref>[http://www.racinggreencars.com/modern/The%20Jaguar%20AJ-V8%20Engine%20Strengths%20and%20Weaknesses.pdf The Jaguar AJ-V8 Engine]</ref>
* Lotus Esprit Turbo 2.2
* [[Maserati Biturbo]] 2.0 V6 Engines
* [[NSU Ro80]]
* Porsche 912 engine ( engine in 917 car, not to be confused with the Porsche 912 car )
* Porsche 911 1973+ (excluding some 1975-1978 911S)
* [[Ford Puma]]

==See Also==
*[[List of automotive superlatives]]

[[Category:Engine technology]]

Nikasil - Revision history

Red marquis at 04:54, 2 March 2010

Red marquis at 04:53, 2 March 2010