As demand increases for higher fuel pressures in automotive and heavy duty fuel delivery systems, the need for advanced materials in fuel pump rollers is more critical than ever before.

To meet this demand, Ceradyne provides the advanced material of choice: silicon nitride. Silicon nitride delivers:

• High strength and reliability
• Contact fatigue resistance
• High elastic modulus
• Light weight (40% of metal)
• Tribological compatibility (low coefficient of friction and wear resistance) with metals.

As a result, silicon nitride enhances the maximum stress levels for steel rollers in diesel fuel pumps and is ideal for a wide range of other applications.

Properties

Fuel pump rollers can take full advantage of the light weight, high stiffness, and high Hertzian contact strength of silicon nitride. These rollers can operate at higher speeds and stress levels with reduced lubrication when compared to metal rollers. Ceradyne’s silicon nitride rollers excel in these applications because of superior mechanical reliability and contact fatigue resistance, along with machined OD crown profiles on roller bearing elements.

Additionally, silicon nitride rollers are preferred because metal and coated metal rollers fail due to wear and “scuffing”. Silicon nitride components eliminate this problem, while allowing pumps to operate at higher pressures. Silicon nitride also exhibits reduced friction when in contact with cast iron or steel.

Processing

Ceradyne’s silicon nitride is processed by gas pressure sintering. The outstanding contact fatigue capability and mechanical reliability is attained from its microstructure that is fully dense and free of porosity. Also, Ceradyne’s silicon nitride has a high fracture toughness of 6 MPam^1/2, which produces high strength and reliability.

Applications

Ceradyne’s silicon nitride components have been successful in providing solutions to specific problems involving high volume Heavy Duty Diesel applications. Ceradyne’s materials also are a cost effective alternative to metal components over full life cycles. As a result, Ceradyne’s silicon nitride components can solve warranty problems while providing increased system capabilities and performance.

Visit our Fuel Pump Rollers page to learn more.