Exploring Piston Parts and Types

Pistons are integral components of many internal combustion engines, hydraulic systems, and various other mechanical devices, coming in the form of durable, cylindrical parts that move up and down within a cylinder to compress and release gasses or fluids. Understanding the different parts and types of pistons is crucial for those working in industries like automotive manufacturing, machinery maintenance, and engineering, ensuring that proper investments can be made. As such, read on as we offer a simplified overview of these topics for your benefit.

What Are the Common Parts of a Piston?

Head: The head, also known as the crown, is the topmost part of a piston that plays a key role in the combustion process. It comes into direct contact with high-pressure, high-temperature gasses, enduring extreme forces during engine operation while maintaining assembly integrity. The head is often shaped differently based on the engine design to optimize combustion efficiency and power output.

Skirt: Located just below the head is the skirt, which forms the lower portion of the piston body that extends downwards into the cylinder. The skirt plays a role in maintaining the alignment of the piston within the cylinder, preventing excessive tilting or wobbling. Skirts must be strong enough to endure forces placed on them, but they must also be designed in a way that minimizes friction between a piston and a cylinder wall.

Rings: Rings are thin metal bands fitted into grooves along the sides of a piston that seal the gap between a piston and a cylinder wall to prevent combustion gasses from escaping during operation. There are three types of rings that find widespread use in a variety of applications, including compression, oil control, and scraper options. Compression variants seal the combustion chamber, oil control rings regulate the amount of oil reaching the piston, and scrapers remove excess oil from cylinder walls.

What Are Common Types of Pistons?

There are several different types of pistons, each designed for specific applications.

Flat-Top Pistons: Flat-top variants, as their name suggests, have a flat head and are commonly used in standard internal combustion engines. They offer a balanced combination of power and fuel efficiency, making them suitable for everyday vehicles and light machinery.

Dome Pistons: Dome pistons have a raised and rounded head, which increases the compression ratio within an engine’s cylinder. These types are commonly found in high-performance engines that require more power, as the increased levels of compression they offer help produce more powerful combustion for greater speed and acceleration.

Dished Pistons: Dished pistons feature a concave head design that plays a vital role in optimizing engine performance, especially in turbocharged engines. These types are often used in such engines because they help reduce risk of pre-ignition or knocking through more controlled combustion, which can occur when an air-fuel mixture ignites too early.

Slipper Pistons: As a special-purpose option, slipper pistons feature a lighter design with reduced skirt size. They are common in racecars for maximizing performance by reducing weight and friction, as well as high-revving engines for rapid acceleration.

Forged Pistons: These pistons are manufactured by forging specific types of high-strength metals, a process that enhances their ability to withstand extreme stress and intense heat generated in high-performance engines.

Where You Can Purchase Piston Parts

If you are currently in search of high-performance pistons, look no further than Find Aircraft Hardware and our vast selection. Across the website, customers can locate over 2 billion items that are ready for purchase, our online Request for Quote (RFQ) service making it simple to take the first step. With our team members accessible around the clock to help you, you can expect to receive curated procurement options shortly after.