SwRI: Automotive Systems Contamination Research Material Compatibility

  image of simulation of the influence of contaminants in a system at SwRI
 

SwRI scientists develop improved techniques to determine compatibility of fluid-wetted components with automotive fluids. In this extended test, a transmission component (see illustration) is subjected to hot, dust-contaminated transmission fluid for hundreds of hours, simulating real-time conditions.

Today's automotive components must be compatible with numerous environments, operating conditions, and automotive and industrial fluids. For example, fuel system components must be compatible with various fuel types, such as diesel, gasoline, ethanol, methanol, and blends, from all geographic regions.

 
To help industry investigate these fuel-related issues, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers a variety of services, including:

  • Contamination control strategy development, implementation, and evaluation

  • Specialty fuel formulation

  • Hot and cold soak with specialty fuel

  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination

  • Material and failure analyses

  • Fuel property and contamination analyses

  • Fuel compatibility studies

  • Lubricity and wear property evaluation

  • Filter and filtration strategy analysis

For more information about material compatibility capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Xiaojian Tao, Ph.D., at xtao@swri.org or (210) 522-6962.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.