Different cylinder liner materials

[Peter0987654321]

For a particular diesel engine, I can get either thin-wall cast iron liners or chrome.

Please can someone enlighten me as to the advantages/disadvantages of each type.

Pete

 

[EngJW]

Diesel requirements may be slightly different than gas, but grey cast iron is probably the most common liner material because its pores and graphite flakes improve lubrication. Chrome is typically used in an abrasive environment, but it has to be applied to another material such as cast iron or steel. It is not just any chrome plate- it contains a network of channels to hold oil. The original chrome plating process was developed for tanks and airplanes operating in the desert during WW2.

One caution- you can run chrome faced rings on cast iron, but don't run them on a chrome cylinder.