Quantification of combustion valve sealing interface sliding—A novel experimental technique and simulations

•Sliding in the combustion valve interface is a significant wear contributor.•Novel experimental technique offers a direct sliding measurement.•Numerical sliding simulations can be used as a quick and indicative tool.•The sliding length was studied for a number of parameter changes.•Experimental values show a good fit with the numerical simulations.

The rapid sharpening of the environmental legislation during the last decades has forced engine manufacturers to radical design modifications. It has been shown that the sliding in the sealing interface is one of the major reasons for wear. The sliding wear is expected to have an even more important role in modern engines.This paper presents unique experimental data, acquired using a dedicated technique in a test-rig. The experimental data is complemented by FEM-simulations. The simulations involve validation of the test-rig valve sealing interface sliding behaviour and investigations on how different parameters influence the sliding length. These parameters include combustion pressure, contact angle, contact length, valve head thickness, coefficient of friction, running-in wear, and change of elastic modulus due to temperature variations.