Comparison of original and generic piston in manufacturing. Case study: Cummins N14 430 HP

Abstract

The project aimed to compare an original spare part with a generic one, analyzing their chemical composition, mechanical strength, and hardness. To achieve this, metallographic tests were conducted following ASTM standards E3:2011 and E407:2007, while the chemical composition was determined using ASTM E1085:2016, and hardness tests were performed according to ASTM E18:2022. The results showed that the original spare part has a ferrite structure, while the generic one has fine martensite. The chemical composition of both pistons includes an iron matrix with various alloying elements such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), and lead (Pb). The original spare part features zirconium as an alloying element, allowing it to withstand high temperatures and maintain structural stability. Hardness test results indicated that the generic spare part is harder and more brittle, while the original spare part has moderate hardness, making it a material with ductile properties. In conclusion, the study finds that the original spare part has a superior chemical composition, moderate hardness, and better mechanical properties