Ford patent explores composite cylinder head
Ford may be looking at removing as much metal as possible from its cylinder heads, if new patent applications by the company published early February are any indication. The company’s new Hybrid Composite Cylinder Head would be made up mostly of a polymer composite instead of the traditional aluminum or iron, for better efficiency, lower weight and reduced corrosion, The Truth About Cars explains. The patent outlines how the composite, which may be fibrereinforced, will surround an internal cast-iron skeleton. Previous cylinder-head patents specified the use of a ceramic composite, but it couldn’t be formed around a metal inner structure, and that it couldn’ t withstand high heat and pressure very well. Ford’s composite heads would instead be made from are sin, silicone or some combination thereof, which would also reduce the production cost of the components. Slightly improved fuel economy might also be a byproduct, since the part would weigh less. Two years ago, Ford showed off a prototype 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine that used injection-moulded carbon-fibre parts extensively.