Everything About Piston Ring Types, Their Functions and Material Used
Manufacturers design piston rings to meet specific functionality and usability requirements. Consequently, pistons vary in their purpose and can be categorized into three main types. The primary role of a piston is to seal the combustion chamber in both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. Piston rings are a crucial component of the piston. Their number and function are determined by the engine type and its capacity. For example, a 2-stroke engine has only two piston rings, one for compression and the other, wiper ring. However, the 4-stroke engine has three piston rings. The other ring is the oil scraper ring. What Is a Piston Ring? Piston rings are metallic split-type rings that are fitted into the grooves in a piston’s outer diameter. They ensure a good seal is maintained between the cylinder wall and the piston. What are Piston Rings Made of? Piston rings are most commonly made from fine-grained alloy cast iron. The typical alloys used include nickel, copper, vanadium, chromi