Bekaert responds to technical challenges posed by new environmentally-friendly fuels

Bekaert responds to technical challenges posed by new environmentally-friendly fuels

Bekaert’s Diamond-Like coatings help NASCAR clients resolve fuel residue deposit problems associated with new fuel regulations

Bekaert, worldwide leader in racing and automotive component coating solutions, has leveraged its extensive research capabilities to respond to customer requirements for an effective solution to fuel residue buildup on race car engine valves due to the introduction of unleaded fuel. Use of Bekaert's Diamond-Like coatings on valves ensures reliable valve function and significant wear resistance on moving parts.

Use of unleaded fuel became a requirement in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuit in 2007. The downside of unleaded fuel is that it has different solubility characteristics than regular gasoline. This can cause residue build-up problems in race engines that result in valve malfunction and premature wear of certain engine components. In the future, NASCAR may follow the example of the 2007 IndyCar Race Series (IRL) and adopt the use of E85, a high performance fuel mixture containing 85 (volume)% of fuel ethanol derived from (Not necessarily corn)biomass, and 15 (volume)% of gasoline. The use of these ‘bio-fuels’ is expected to give raise to additional wear on engine components, calling for even more wear resistant DLC coatings.

"Deposit build-up in the fuel intake system is not a new phenomenon. The conflicting demands of increased horsepower, fuel economy, and emissions control mean that fuel management systems must operate within very close tolerances," explains Michael De Maegt, General Manager Bekaert DLC. "Bekaert has extensively researched the new developments in bio-fuels and their impact on valve function and parts longevity in race car engine. Our customers approached us for a solution to these technical challenges that would enable them to reap the benefits of new fuels, while retaining good wear resistance and low coefficient of friction."

By coating valves with Bekaert's specifically developed DLC coatings, intake valves are protected from the build-up of fuel residue, resulting in better wear resistance and a lower coefficient of friction. Bekaert customers have reported the coatings have ensured reliable functioning of valves over several races. Bekaert intends to continue its investigation during the NASCAR season by working with customer feedback to develop modern day coatings as a solution to future fuel engine problems in the racing and automotive market.

The company has already built a global reputation in the racing market with its uniquely designed Bekaert Cavidur® coatings that reduce friction and wear in engine components. Their unique composition and structure result in the most reliable surface engineered solutions for highly loaded engine components, increasing lifetime of these parts and significantly decreasing friction losses, providing an excellent adhesion under extreme conditions. Based on this success and Bekaert’s engineering capabilities for high-volume automotive products, Bekaert expanded its range with Bekaert Dylyn® Plus coatings for high-volume automotive solutions. The most reliable and highest performance surface solution available on the market today, Bekaert Dylyn® Plus reduces friction losses, resulting in higher engine output and improved fuel consumption.

“We are pleased with the positive customer feedback to our partnership approach to finding a technical solution for their fuel-related performance issues. This is an excellent example of Bekaert’s proactive stance for addressing new industry challenges, and our capability to provide solutions, either as an alternative to, or in conjunction with our ongoing research efforts," concludes Michel De Maegt.

About Bekaert

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Bekaert (www.bekaert.com <http://www.bekaert.com/> ) seeks sustainable profitable growth based on its two core competences: advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings.

Bekaert aims to consolidate its position as both market and technological leader around the world. With its broad range of high technological products, systems and services, Bekaert offers high added value for its customers.

Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is an European based company, headquartered in Belgium, employing 18 500 people. Bekaert, present in 120 countries, generates annual sales of more than € 3 billion.

The company supplies the Formula 1, Rally, DTM, Formula 3 and NASCAR business with high quality Bekaert Cavidur® coating solutions. The unique composition and structure of Bekaert Cavidur® results in the most reliable surface engineered solutions for highly loaded engine components, increasing lifetime of these parts and significantly decreasing friction losses, providing an excellent adhesion under extreme conditions.

Based on this success and Bekaert’s engineering capabilities for high-volume automotive products, Bekaert expanded its range with Bekaert Dylyn® Plus coatings for high-volume automotive solutions. The most reliable and highest performance surface solution available on the market today, Bekaert Dylyn® Plus reduces friction losses, resulting in higher engine output and improved fuel consumption.

Bekaert offers its diamond-like coatings via sales and manufacturing offices in Belgium, France, Germany, United States, Singapore and China.