Advanced high temperature materials for the energy efficient automotive Stirling engine

• Published in: Journal of materials for energy systems Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 114 - 121
• Main Authors: TITRAN, R. H, STEPHENS, J. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Metals Park, OH American Society for Metals 01.09.1984
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Heat resistance; Automobile; United States; Stirling engine; Materials; High temperature; Research and development
• ISSN: 0162-9719; 2168-8133
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02833421

The Stirling engine is under investigation jointly by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and NASA Lewis as an alternative to the internal combustion engine for automotive applications. The Stirling engine is an external combustion engine that offers the advantage of high fuel economy, low emissions, low noise and low vibrations compared to current internal combustion automotive engines. The most critical component from a materials viewpoint is the heater head consisting of the cylinders, heating tubes and regenerator housing. Materials requirements for the heater head include compatibility with hydrogen, resistance to H permeation, high-temp. oxidation/corrosion resistance and high-temp. creep-rupture and fatigue properties. A continuing supporting materials research and technology program has identified the wrought alloys CG-27 and 12RN72 and the cast alloys XF-818 and NASAUT 4G-Al as candidate replacements for the Co-containing alloys used in current prototype engines. Based on the materials research program in support of the automotive Stirling engine it is concluded that manufacture of the engine is feasible from low-cost Fe-base alloys rather than the Co alloys used in prototype engines. Results of research that led to this conclusion are presented. 15 ref.--AA