Mercedes-Benz innovation: the NANOSLIDE

After five years and use exclusively in AMG engines, twin-wire arc spraying technology will now also be used in the series production of Mercedes-Benz diesel engines. Mercedes-Benz was the developer of what is now known as NANOSLIDE technology, in which twin-wire arc spraying is used to melt iron/carbon wires and spray them onto the cylinder surfaces of the lightweight aluminium crankcase with the help of a gasflow. Very fine finishing of the resulting nano-crystalline iron coating creates an almost mirror-like, smooth surface with fine pores, which reduces friction and wear between the piston assembly and the cylinder wall. Other advantages include lower engine weight, less fuel consumption and lower emissions. This innovation from Mercedes-Benz has been successfully used in the 6.3-litre AMG engines since 2006.



Mercedes-Benz uses the collective term BlueEFFICIENCY to describe a whole range of different measures designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions: sophisticated aerodynamics, weight-saving measures and intelligent control of ancillary units are a few examples. With NANOSLIDE technology, the world's oldest automobile manufacturer is adding another innovation to this technology package. It sets new standards in the production of cylinder linings. These help to ensure that the piston moves up and down within the cylinder with the least possible friction losses. Comparatively heavy grey cast-iron liners with a thickness of up to five millimetres are the current state of the art.







The NANOSLIDE procedure takes a new approach. Wires of iron/carbon alloy are melted in an electric arc, and the melted material is "sprayed" onto the cylinder wall by a gasflow, where it is deposited as a layered, ultra-fine to nano-crystalline coating. The NANOSLIDE coating is then given an extremely smooth finish by a special honing process, after which it has a thickness of only 0.1 to 0.15 millimetres and has a mirror-like surface. The honing process also exposes pores in the material which are able to retain oil and thereby ensure optimal lubrication of the piston assembly. The result is not only low friction, and therefore greatly reduced mechanical friction losses compared to grey cast-iron cylinder liners (up to 50 percent), but also extremely high wear resistance.





Mercedes-Benz has plenty of experience with its in-house development of NANOSLIDE technology. In July 2005 Mercedes-AMG GmbH presented a 6.3-litre V8 which not only delivered outstanding performance figures, but was also the world's first series production engine to feature cylinder walls with a twin-wire arc sprayed coating. Since 2006 this cutting-edge cylinder coating technology has been a key component of all 6.3-litre AMG engines. The procedure has proved highly successful in more than 75,000 high-performance AMG engines to date, and meets all expectations. The specialist term "NANOSLIDE" has meanwhile become an accolade. The process involves numerous new inventions and ideas, and is protected by more than 90 patent families and over 40 patents.



In view of this positive experience, Mercedes-Benz is the world's first manufacturer to have developed this technology further for use in a V6 diesel engine.



NANOSLIDE reduces the engine weight by 4.3 kilograms compared to the preceding engine, and brings an additional fuel saving of 3 percent. The V6 diesel engine in the ML 350 BlueTEC, for example, develops an output of 190 kW (258 hp) from a displacement of 2987 cc, and generates 620 Nm of torque. Thanks to BlueTEC with AdBlue® exhaust treatment, this M-Class model already meets the emission values planned for 2014 in accordance with the Euro-6 standard, and as such is one of the world's cleanest diesel vehicles. With a combined consumption of 6.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, the ML 350 BlueTEC improves on the figures of its predecessor by 2.1 litres, or 24 percent. CO2 emissions have dropped from 235 to 179 grams per kilometre, not least thanks to the new NANOSLIDE technology.







| Mercedes-Benz

Update: works in Yellowstone river cleanup

Under the direction of the Unified Command, almost 700 people are now involved in the response and cleanup effort including ExxonMobil’s North America Regional Response Team, the Clean Harbors and ER oil spill response organizations and additional contractors.

We have deployed more than 43,000 feet of boom and approximately 260,000 absorbent pads to clean up oil adjacent to the river. Deployment continues to focus on the highest priority areas to reduce environmental impact. Forty-six boats are available for deployment on the river when conditions permit, and air boats are being used to help ferry workers to and from the shore to various cleanup sites where conventional motorboats cannot be used.


The EPA is leading the Unified Command Center cleanup activities and conducting ongoing air and water quality monitoring. Ongoing air quality monitoring has confirmed there is no danger to public health. Municipal water systems continue to be monitored by the EPA; no reports of impacts have been received to date. F

Pipeline replacement
We are working to ensure we meet the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation’s Corrective Action Order before we resume pipeline operations in Billings.

In order to lessen the impact of the pipeline shutdown on the local economy, we have also begun preliminary work for the replacement of the pipeline. This work includes discussions on permitting requirements, rights of ways, drilling equipment, contracting and pipeline fabrication and transportation.

Community outreach and claims update
ExxonMobil employees are visiting residents in the most impacted areas of the spill to ensure residents’ needs are being met. To date, we have visited more than 150 residents. Our goal is to answer any questions residents may have about the claims process or spill and cleanup activities. We will continue reaching out to residents throughout the week.

To date we have received more than 300 calls from the community. Our team is responding to more than 120 claims related to property, agriculture or health, and these claims are being resolved as quickly as possible. More than 130 calls have been from people offering volunteer assistance. We appreciate the support of the Billings community as we work to restore the area.

To address individual health concerns, teams of trained environmental specialists are conducting air and water quality testing. Those who may have been affected are encouraged to use the community information line (1-888-382-0043).

Wildlife assessment and recovery
We continue to work with International Bird Rescue, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to survey the area for impacts to wildlife. Members of the team are surveying the affected areas of the river for oiled wildlife. We are also inspecting the property of landowners who have called the community or wildlife hotlines regarding impacted wildlife on their property.

The total number of treated wildlife is four: a garter snake and a western toad (which were treated and released), a Woodhouse’s toad (which will be released today) and a warbler (which is being cleaned). In addition, several oiled birds were observed and we are assessing if any require capture or cleaning. Today, two boats are scheduled to go out onto the slack, or shallow, water to continue to search for any additional wildlife that may have been affected by the incident. Aerial helicopter surveys are conducted daily to observe wildlife conditions.

Hotline information
Community information line: Individuals in the community who might have been impacted by this event are encouraged to contact the community information number (1-888-382-0043).

Wildlife hotline: Anyone who comes across wildlife that has been impacted by the spill is asked to use the wildlife hotline number (1-800-259-0596).

| ExxonMobil

Yellowstone river cleanup and recovery status

Under the direction of the Unified Command, almost 600 people are now involved in the response and cleanup effort including ExxonMobil’s North America Regional Response Team, the Clean Harbors and ER oil spill response organizations and additional contractors.

We have deployed almost 33,000 feet of boom and approximately 160,000 absorbent pads to clean up oil adjacent to the river. Deployment will continue to focus on the highest priority areas to reduce environmental impact. Thirty-nine boats are available for deployment on the river when conditions permit.


The EPA is leading the Unified Command Center cleanup activities and conducting ongoing air and water quality monitoring. Ongoing air quality monitoring has confirmed there is no danger to public health. Municipal water systems continue to be monitored by the EPA; no reports of impacts have been received to date.

Community outreach and claims update
Direct contact with those impacted by the spill continues. To date we have received 285 calls from the community. Our team is responding to approximately 100 claims related to property, agriculture or health, and these claims are being resolved as quickly as possible. More than 100 calls have been from people offering volunteer assistance. We appreciate the support of the Billings community as we work to restore the area.

Our commitment is to make every effort to respond to the concerns of each individual within 24 hours. Additionally, we are increasing our on-the-ground response team to work directly with people who have been affected.

To address individual health concerns, teams of trained environmental specialists are conducting air and water quality testing. Those who may have been affected are encouraged to use the community information line (1-888-382-0043).

wildlife assessment and recovery
We continue to work with International Bird Rescue (IBR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to survey the area for impacts to wildlife. Members of the team are surveying the affected areas of the river for oiled wildlife. We are also inspecting the property of landowners who have called the community or wildlife hotlines regarding impacted wildlife on their property.

The total number of treated wildlife is two, a garter snake and a western toad, which were treated and released. In addition, several lightly oiled birds were previously observed; none required capture or cleaning.

Today, two boats are scheduled to go out onto the slack, or shallow, water to continue to search for any additional wildlife that may have been affected by the incident. Aerial helicopter surveys were also completed from the spill site to just downstream of Razor Creek. Several oiled Canada Geese were identified in today’s survey and reported to IBR.

Hotline information
Community information line: Individuals in the community who might have been impacted by this event are encouraged to contact the community information number (1-888-382-0043).

Wildlife hotline: Anyone who comes across wildlife that has been impacted by the spill is asked to use the wildlife hotline number (1-800-259-0596).

| Exxon