Plasma Coated Bores...

[Ultimategtr]

So the engineer swears itl last well over 100k no sweat - Thats fine

However, what happens when the power is increased? How does it affect the plasma coating?

Somewhere i heard(rumours only) that the Plasma lining limits the power to only 600hp?

[sneakey pete]

I honestly don't see why it would. Its just a passive coating of the bores. Unless the temp somehow gets stupidly hot on the cylinder walls and it starts to melt off, however i really don't think this would be a problem.

[gp900]

So the engineer swears itl last well over 100k no sweat - Thats fine

However, what happens when the power is increased? How does it affect the plasma coating?

Somewhere i heard(rumours only) that the Plasma lining limits the power to only 600hp?

There is generally a lot of confusion over the term Plasma. The bore liner itself is not "Plasma", which conjures up images of a gel like substance.

The term Plasma  refers to the state of a Super Heated gas, i.e. the process not the end product. In this case the Super heated gas is created by an arc and fired under pressure at a feeder. The feeder feeds a raw material composition which is instantly melted by the super hot Plasma, then gets atomised and flies towards the bore surface. At least this is how it is for the PTWA process.

The little melted particles are so hot that when they hit the bore surface they mate with the Alloy. Or at least that's the idea. So the lining is held in place by adhesive strength compared to a sleeve which is held in place by a mechanical interlock. 

I think this idea is pretty new as far as cars are concerned but it can only get better as they play around with the composition of the raw feed and bore prep etc.

[ylwgtr2]

It will be very similar to this

bore coating

[gp900]

It will be very similar to this

bore coating

Nikasil is a similar idea in that it's aim is to replace the cast iron sleeve with a thinner liner but I believe that Nikasil is an electroplating process rather than a thermal process, like Plasma coating.

Plasma coatings aren't as sensitive to fuel quality as Nikasil.

[fatz]

the barron has had his bores sprayed (come up here and suck on mummys dick way) a few times from a bloke called john

[ylwgtr2]

Nikasil is a similar idea in that it's aim is to replace the cast iron sleeve with a thinner liner but I believe that Nikasil is an electroplating process rather than a thermal process, like Plasma coating.

Plasma coatings aren't as sensitive to fuel quality as Nikasil.

or kawasaki electro fusion's process....i cant remember exactly how its done but i remember a tech story in an old dirt bike magazine years ago on how they insert an electrode into the bore and charge it which cause's it to explode and spray the walls of the cylinder...might also be something like that

[djr81]

Not so sure I understand why there is so much hype about the process. It has been around for many, many years. It is just that it has up until now rarely been used in such a high profile motoring application.

In the grown up world (ie not teh interwebz) plasma coatings have been used to refurbish, reinforce, strengthen, protect, modify etc etc no end of engineering components - from stuff like pump shafts to wear parts to components needing a protective stainless coating.

There is no reason to believe the coatings on the motor will be any less successful than old school cast iron. Anyway when they fail you should be able to get them redone & rebored. So no need for oversized pistons....

[bigmikespec]

FYI, there is a company in Melbourne that can do plasmo coatings with a laser (i.e. tungsten carbide coating) instead of using a superheated inert gas.

Personally it would make me nervous having anything that was coated/plated, I have horrible visions of bits flaking off, the coating is only as good as its ability to adhere to the original material.

[ylwgtr2]

FYI, there is a company in Melbourne that can do plasmo coatings with a laser (i.e. tungsten carbide coating) instead of using a superheated inert gas.

Personally it would make me nervous having anything that was coated/plated, I have horrible visions of bits flaking off, the coating is only as good as its ability to adhere to the original material.

This seems to be the problem on bike engines when they get a few klms on them....it will be interesting to see what happens with the new nissan engine when it starts getting commonly modified ....i cant imagine that stuff would take to kindly to detonation

[ylwgtr2]

perhaps i should rephrase that....im sure the coating is tough as tiger poo.....but what about the adhesion of the two surface's

[Beer Baron]

the barron has had his bores sprayed (come up here and suck on mummys dick way) a few times from a bloke called john

if only you could have had your wanger coated with this hard wearing plasma dealie. it might have saved it from being worn down to the little 1 inch nub it is today.. i guess it's still enough for mark to enjoy

[Mr Camouflage]

Where the fu(k do people get these ideas?

Magazines...

whenever this pops up i'm always saying it's just internet rumour b.s., like so many other things floating around this car.

Nope, not the internet, Australian motor magazines...... Guess which one....

Well I know where he is coming from, as I read quite a few times on forums etc that because of the plasma lining the GTR would need to have a service at 100,000km that would involve the engine coming out to recoat the cylinders.

Based on the facts in the Motor article, this appears grossly mis-informed.

Well, maybe Motor magazine should have checked the facts before printing this rumor in the first place in "Motor" magazine, May 2008 issue.

[Sheriff Wan]

Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to get my motor rebuilt every 10,000kms because motor said so...

COME ON... Do you really think they would make a car that would require a rebuild at 100,000k's in this day and age? Even if it does get wound up a little it will be fine - do you really think Nissan didn't anticipate every Tom Dick and Harry modding these things to within an inch of their lives?

Jebuz a hyundai getz will make it to 200,000! and it doesnt even have plasma coated cylinders...

[ricsvtr]

heheh 1 inch nub....