Service Bulletin RTA-43.

3
Technical Information to all Owners / Operators RT-flex-05
of Sulzer RTA and RT-flex Engines
31.08.2006
(Supersedes Bulletin
RTA-43.2 of 03.12.2002)

Piston Rings

Contents: Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Piston ring technology 1

3. Piston ring designation 2

4. Piston ring standard 4

5. General Recommendations 7

6. Part list 8

7. Related service bulletins 11

Wrtsil Switzerland Ltd PO Box 414 Tel. +41 52 262 23 30

Wrtsil Schweiz AG CH-8401 Winterthur Fax +41 52 212 71 03
Wrtsil Suisse SA Switzerland E-mail: techservice.ch@wartsila.com
1 INTRODUCTION
This Service Bulletin offers information and advice on the latest piston ring specification for
RTA and RT-flex engines.
Information in Service Bulletins RTA-43, RTA-43.1 and RTA-43.2 about piston rings is
superseded by this issue.

2 PISTON RING TECHNOLOGY

2.1 Latest development
The development and availability of new piston ring coatings have allowed Wrtsil to test a
variety of piston ring executions on their engines. The aim of the evaluation was to find a
low wear concept that offers a high safety margin against unstable piston running
conditions that could lead to sudden severe wear.
The best results were obtained with chrome-ceramic coated rings in all ring grooves, in
combination with fully honed liners.
Chrome-ceramic (CC) coating was tested in RTA engines from 1998 onwards and was
introduced as the standard configuration for the top ring in 2000, in combination with RC
(running-in coating) lower rings. The CC-coating has a high resistance against abrasive,
adhesive and corrosive wear and greatly reduces the risk of sudden severe wear.

2.2 Latest standard

A full CC-coated ring pack is now recommended as the standard configuration for the large
bore engines viz. RTA96C, RT-flex96C, RTA84C, RTA84T, RTA84T-B, RTA84T-D, RT-
flex84T-D and RTA84M.
Based on satisfactory service experience the SCP1RC lower rings remain the standard
configuration for RTA84 and smaller bore engines, along with RC top rings and K0P rings for
certain engine types.
Both the top ring and the lower rings are pre-profiled; the top CC-ring has an asymmetrical
barrel shaped profile (P1), the lower CC-rings have a symmetrical barrel shaped profile (P2).
The RC-rings have a P1 profile.
The standard rings have a straight-cut (SC) type ring gap, except for the K0P rings which
have an oblique cut ring gap. A gas tight (GT) top ring may be applied as an alternative
solution for the large bore engine, see section 5.3.
K0 (non-profiled) rings have been replaced by K0P (pre-profiled) rings.
Note: CC-coated rings should only be used in combination with a fully honed liner.

1 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

3 PISTON RING DESIGNATION

The type of piston ring is specified by 8 characters, e.g.: SC P1 CC 20

Ring gap: SC - Straight Cut
GT - Gas Tight
Profile: P1 - Asymmetrical barrel shape
P2 - Symmetrical barrel shape
Coating: CC - Chrome-Ceramic
RC - Running-in Coating
Ring height: [mm]

Piston ring profile:

P1: CC top rings and RC rings

Asymmetrical profile

P2: CC lower rings

Symmetrical profile

2 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

Older ring specification K0 and K0P
K0P rings have an oblique cut ring gap. The K denotes a correction to the ring ends: The
0 (zero) indicates the ring ends have no correction whereas the previous KN version had a
negative correction. The P indicates the ring is pre-profiled, as shown in the illustration.
Coated K0P rings have the extension PL (Plasma Coated) or RC (Running-in Coated).

Wrtsil Piston Rings are marked as follows (example):

WCH VP6 SCP1CC20 TOP xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wrtsil Switzerland
Material
Ring Designation
Orientation
Manufacturing Date and Batch Number

The ring marking is stamped on

the upper face near the ring gap

3 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

4 PISTON RING STANDARD
The following table shows the current standard for all applications and alternative solutions
deviating from the standard recommendation.
1x denotes the top ring, followed by 3x or 4x denoting the lower rings
A single 4x of 5x means ring pack consisting of all identical rings.

Engine Type Ring configuration Standard Alternative

recommendation
RTA96C 4-ring 1x SCP1CC20 1x GTP1CC20
RT-flex96C 3x SCP2CC20 3x SCP2CC20
5-ring 1x SCP1CC20 1x GTP1CC20
4x SCP2CC18 4x SCP2CC18
RTA84C 4-ring 1x SCP1CC20 1x SCP1CC20
3x SCP2CC20 3x SCP1RC20
or
1x GTP1CC20
3x SCP1RC20
or
4x SCP1RC20
5-ring 1x SCP1CC20 1x SCP1CC20
4x SCP2CC16 4x SCP1RC16
or or
1x SCP1CC16 1x GTP1CC20
4x SCP2CC16 4x SCP1RC16
or
1x SCP1CC16
4x SCP1RC16
or
5x SCP1RC16
RTA84M 4-ring 1x SCP1CC20 1x SCP1CC20
3x SCP2CC20 3x SCP1RC20
RTA84T or
RTA84T-B
1x GTP1CC20
RTA84T-D
3x SCP1RC20
RT-flex84T-D
or
4x SCP1RC20
5-ring 1x SCP1CC20 1x SCP1CC20
4x SCP2CC16 4x SCP1RC16
or or
1x SCP1CC16 1x GTP1CC20
4x SCP2CC16 4x SCP1RC16
or
1x SCP1CC16
4x SCP1RC16
or
5x SCP1RC16

4 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

Continued
Engine Type Ring configuration Standard Alternative
recommendation
RTA84 5-ring 1x SCP1RC20 1x SCP1RC20
4x SCP1RC16 4x K0P16
or or
5x SCP1RC16 1x SCP1RC16
4x K0P16
RTA76 5-ring 1x K0P18 1x GTP1CC18
4x K0P14 4x K0P14
or or
5x K0P14 1x SCP1CC18
4x K0P14
RTA72 4-ring 1x SCP1CC18 4x SCP1RC18
RTA72U 3x SCP1RC18 or
RTA72U-B or 1x SCP1RC18
1x SCP1CC18 3x SCP1RC14
3x SCP1RC14
5-ring 1x SCP1CC18 1x SCP1RC18
4x SCP1RC14 4x SCP1RC14
or
5x SCP1RC14
RTA68-B 4-ring 1x SCP1CC18 1x SCP1CC18
(RTA68T-B) 3x SCP1RC18 3x SCP2CC18
RTA68-D
RT-flex68-B
RT-flex68-D
RTA68 5-ring 5x K0P13
or
1x SCP1RC18
4x K0P13
RTA62 4-ring 1x SCP1CC17 4x SCP1RC17
RTA62U 3x SCP1RC17 or
RTA62U-B or 1x SCP1RC17
1x SCP1CC17 3x SCP1RC13
3x SCP1RC13
5-ring 1x SCP1CC17 1x SCP1RC17
4x SCP1RC13 4x SCP1RC13
or
5x SCP1RC13
RT-flex60C 4-ring 1x SCP1CC16
RT-flex60C-B 3x SCP1RC16
RTA58T 4-ring 1x SCP1CC16 4x SCP1RC16
RTA58T-B 3x SCP1RC16
RT-flex58T-B

5 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

Continued
Engine Type Ring configuration Standard Alternative
recommendation
RTA58 5-ring 1x SCP1RC16
4x K0P12
or
5x K0P12
RTA52 4-ring 1x SCP1CC15 4x SCP1RC15
RTA52U 3x SCP1RC15 or
or 1x SCP1RC15
1x SCP1CC15 3x SCP1RC12
3x SCP1RC12
5-ring 1x SCP1CC15 1x SCP1RC15
4x SCP1RC12 4x SCP1RC12
or
5x SCP1RC12
RTA50-B 4-ring 1x GTP1CC15
RT-flex50-B 3x SCP1RC15
RTA48T 4-ring 1x SCP1CC15 4x SCP1RC15
RTA48T-B 3x SCP1RC15
RTA48 4-ring 1x SCP1RC15
3x K0P11
or
4x K0P11
RTA38 4-ring 1x K0P13
3x K0P10
or
4x K0P10

6 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

5 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Piston ring life
The Chrome-ceramic coating is a lifetime coating. However, the actual wear depends on
piston running conditions. Wear of the CC-coating can be monitored by means of a chrome
thickness measurement tool, available through Wrtsil, see part list in chapter 6.
When during a piston underside
inspection a piston ring with a partially
worn CC-coating is found, the ring
does not necessarily need to be
changed immediately. If the remaining
chrome layer is intact, it is still fit for
continued service. Obviously the
scuffing resistance of the ring will
decrease accordingly.
If the chrome layer is damaged i.e.
pieces of coating broken out, or
patches of coating peeling off, the ring Partially worn CC-coating, but
suitable for continued service
should be replaced at the earliest
opportunity.

5.2 Overhaul intervals

The Engine Maintenance Manuals give the following guidelines for piston overhaul intervals:
18 20,000 running hours Piston with CC top ring and liner with anti-polishing ring
12 14,000 running hours Piston with CC top ring, liner without anti-polishing ring
6 8,000 running hours Piston with RC top ring, regardless of anti-polishing ring
When using RC top rings as an alternative to CC top rings, the shorter overhaul intervals
should be observed.
The above mentioned overhaul intervals for pistons with CC top rings also apply to pistons
with CC rings in all grooves.

5.3 Ring storage and handling

Handle with care. Store the Piston Rings in a dry place, lay horizontally on a flat surface and
kept in their original packing. When preparing for use, avoid hard contact against other metal
objects. This is particularly important for CC-coated rings.

5.4 Gas tight rings

Gas tight top rings may be beneficial with partly worn liners. A large SC ring gap causes
excessive gas leakage resulting in disruption of the oil film and deposits forming on the ring
lands. This is prevented by the overlapping ends of the gas tight ring. In addition, there is a
tendency for reduced deposit formation on the piston crown lands when using gas tight rings.
Gas tight rings should only be fitted when the piston ring groove is in good condition. Before
fitting gas tight rings, the Liner may require to be honed in order to correct any dimensional
irregularities.

7 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

5.5 Fitting instructions
To prevent deformation it is of the utmost importance not to open the rings more than is
absolutely necessary. For this purpose a special expander tool is available, which is also
provided with claws specially designed for CC-coated rings, to prevent coating being chipped
off at the ring ends. For ordering details see part list in chapter 6.

5.6 Cylinder liner condition

Prior to assembling the Unit, the liner should be thoroughly checked for wear ridges and sharp
edges of the lubricating grooves and the scavenging ports. For dressing-up instructions we
refer to the maintenance manual, Group 2, pages 2124-3/A1.

6 PART LIST
6.1 General

Part Order Number (Code no.)

Piston Ring Expander Tool 94338

Chrome thickness gauge 94356

6.2 Piston Rings

Engine Type Standard Order Number Alternative Order Number

Recommendation (Code no.) (Code no.)
RTA96C 1x SCP1CC20 D 34425 1x GTP1CC20 *)
3x SCP2CC20 D 34428 3x SCP2CC20 D 34428
or or
1x SCP1CC20 D 34425 1x GTP1CC20 *)
4x SCP2CC18 D 34430 4x SCP2CC18 D 34430
RT-flex96C 1x SCP1CC20 DF 34425 1x GTP1CC20 *)
3x SCP2CC20 DF 34428 3x SCP2CC20 DF 34428
or or
1x SCP1CC20 DF 34425 1x GTP1CC20 *)
4x SCP2CC18 DF 34430 4x SCP2CC18 DF 34430

8 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

Continued
Engine Type Standard Order Number Alternative Order Number
Recommendation (Code no.) (Code no.)
RTA84C 1x SCP1CC20 C 34420 1x SCP1CC20 C 34420
3x SCP2CC20 C 34428 3x SCP1RC20 C 34421
or or
1x SCP1CC20 C 34420 1x GTP1CC20 ---------*)
4x SCP2CC16 C 34427 3x SCP1RC20 C 34421
or or
1xSCP1CC16 C 34429 4x SCP1RC20 C 34421
4xSCP2CC16 C 34427 or
1x SCP1CC20 C 34420
4x SCP1RC16 C 34422
or
1x GTP1CC20 ---------*)
4x SCP1RC16 C 34422
or
1x SCP1CC16 C 34429
4x SCP1RC16 C 34422
or
5x SCP1RC16 C 34422
RTA84T 1x SCP1CC20 W 34424 1x SCP1CC20 W 34424
3x SCP2CC20 W 34431 3x SCP1RC20 W 34425
or or
1x SCP1CC20 W 34424 1x GTP1CC20 ---------*)
4x SCP2CC16 W 34430 3x SCP1RC20 W 34425
or
4x SCP1RC20 W 34425
or
1x SCP1CC20 W 34424
4x SCP1RC16 W 34426
or
1x GTP1CC20 ---------*)
4x SCP1RC16 W 34426
or
1x SCP1CC16 ---------*)
4x SCP1RC16 W 34426
or
5x SCP1RC16 W 34426
RTA84T-B 1x SCP1CC20 B 34425 1x SCP1CC20 B 34425
RTA84T-D 3x SCP2CC20 B 34431 3x SCP1RC20 B 34426
or
1x GTP1CC20 ---------*)
3x SCP1RC20 B 34426
or
4x SCP1RC20 B 34426
RT-flex84T-D 1x SCP1CC20 BF 34425
3x SCP2CC20 BF 34426
RTA84M 1x SCP1CC20 Z 34437
4x SCP1RC16 Z 34439
or
1x SPC1RC20 Z 34438
4x SCP1RC16 Z 34439
or
5x SCP1RC16 Z 34439

9 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3

Continued
Engine Type Standard Order Number Alternative Order Number
Recommendation (Code no.) (Code no.)
RTA84 1x SCP1RC20 U 34409 1x SCP1RC20 U 34409
4x SCP1RC16 U 34408 4x K0P16 U 34408
or or
5x SCP1RC1 U 34408 1x SCP1RC16 U 34408
4x K0P16 U 34408
RTA76 1x K0P18 U 34409 1x GTP1CC18 U 34409
4x K0P14 U 34408 4x K0P14 U 34408
or or
5x K0P14 U 34408 1x SCP1CC18 U 34409
4x K0P14 U 34408
RTA72 1x SCP1CC18 Z 34433 4x SCP1RC18 Z 34434
RTA72U 3x SCP1RC18 Z 34334 or
or 1x SCP1RC18 Z 34434
1x SCP1CC18 Z 34433 3x SCP1RC14 Z 34435
3x SCP1RC14 Z 34435 or
or 1x SCP1RC18 Z 34434
1x SCP1CC18 Z 34433 4x SCP1RC14 Z 34435
4x SCP1RC14 Z 34435
or
5x SCP1RC14 Z 34435
RTA72U-B 1x SCP1CC18 A 34428 4x SCP1RC18 A 34429
3x SCP1RC18 A 34329 or
or 1x SCP1RC18 A 34429
1x SCP1CC18 A 34428 3x SCP1RC14 A 34430
3x SCP1RC14 A 34430
RTA68-B 1x SCP1CC18 Q 34434 1x SCP1CC18 Q 34434
(RTA68T-B) 3x SCP1RC18 Q 34425 3x SCP2CC18 Q 34425
RTA68-D
RT-flex68-B 1x SCP1CC18 MF 34425 1x SCP1CC18 MF 34425
RT-flex68-D 3x SCP1RC18 MF 34426 3x SCP2CC18 MF 34426
RTA68 5x K0P13 U 34408
or
1x SCP1RC18 U 34409
4x K0P13 U 34408
RTA62 1x SCP1CC17 Z 34430 4x SCP1RC17 Z 34431
RTA62U 3x SCP1RC17 Z 34431 or
or 1x SCP1RC17 Z 34431
1x SCP1CC17 Z 34430 3x SCP1RC13 Z 34432
3x SCP1RC13 Z 34432 or
or 1x SCP1RC17 Z 34431
1x SCP1CC17 Z 34430 4x SCP1RC13 Z 34432
4x SCP1RC13 Z 34432
or
5x SCP1RC13 Z 34432
RTA62U-B 1x SCP1CC17 A 34422 4x SCP1RC17 A 34423
3x SCP1RC17 A 34423 or
or 1x SCP1RC17 A 34423
1x SCP1CC17 A 34422 3x SCP1RC13 A 34424
3x SCP1RC13 A 34424
RT-flex60C 1x SCP1CC16 NF 34420
RT-flex60C-B 3x SCP1RC16 NF 34421
RTA58T 1x SCP1CC16 W 34422 4x SCP1RC16 W 34423
3x SCP1RC16 W 34423
RTA58T-B 1x SCP1CC16 Q 34422 4x SCP1RC16 Q 34423
3x SCP1RC16 Q 34423
10 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3
Continued
Engine Type Standard Order Number Alternative Order Number
Recommendation (Code no.) (Code no.)
RTA58 1x SCP1RC16 U 34409
4x K0P12 U 34408
or
5x K0P12 U 34408
RTA52 1x SCP1CC15 Z 34427 4x SCP1RC15 Z 34428
RTA52U 3x SCP1RC15 Z 34428 or
or 1x SCP1RC15 Z 34428
1x SCP1CC15 Z 34427 3x SCP1RC12 Z 34429
3x SCP1RC12 Z 34429 or
or 1x SCP1RC15 Z 34428
1x SCP1CC15 Z 34427 4x SCP1RC12 Z 34429
4x SCP1RC12 Z 34429
or
5x SCP1RC12 Z 34429
RTA50-B 1x GTP1CC15 IF 34420
RT-flex50 3x SCP1RC15 IF 34421
RT-flex50-B
RTA48T 1x SCP1CC15 W 34420 4x SCP1RC15 W 34421
3x SCP1RC15 W 34421
RTA48T-B 1x SCP1CC15 Q 34420 4x SCP1RC15 Q 34421
3x SCP1RC15 Q 34421
RTA48 1x SCP1RC15 T 34411
3x K0P11 T 34409
or
4x K0P11 T 34409
RTA38 1x K0P13 T 34408
3x K0P10 T 34407
or
4x K0P10 T 34407

*) At the time of issuing this Service Bulletin, the Part Codes for these Piston Rings were not
available. When ordering replacement Piston Rings, please use the ring designation and
engine type.
For example, if you have engine RTA84C then place an order by quoting "1x GTP1CC20 for
RTA84C"

7 RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS

RTA-18.3 Running-in of Cylinder Liners and Piston Rings
RTA-26 Loss of Material on Piston Crowns due to High Temperature Corrosion
RTA-38 Piston Crowns, Loss of Material on Combustion Side
RTA-39 Overhaul and Reconditioning of Pistons
RTA-63 Cylinder Oil Feed Rates
RTA-65 Daros Chromium-Ceramic Piston Rings
RTA-66 Cylinder Lubricating Oils
RTA-70 Bolts for Piston Crown Spraying Plate and Piston Skirt
RTA-72 Piston Assembly, Piston Skirt and Piston Ring Tensioning Device
RTA-73 Cylinder Liner and Anti-polishing Ring
RTA-76 CLU Cylinder Lubrication for RTA and RT-flex Engines
RT-flex-03 Idem RTA-76
11 / 11 Service Bulletin RTA-43.3