Mr. Miagi!!!
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- Aug 18, 2011
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Hello everyone!
I'm a new member here (this is the first forum that I've ever actually wanted to post on) and I was wondering if I could run some material selection past you guys.
The first steam engine I built was made almost entirely of brass and cast iron. I wanted to try and build an engine, however, that requires very little maintenance and will last for a very long time. Preferably, I would to use corrosion resistant materials that last a long time. In addition, I wanted to try and avoid bronze and brass because its gettin' kind of expensive where I am. So, my proposition:
Cylinders: a single piece of 304 or 316 stainless with bored cylinders. As a result, the heads and boxes are also stainless steel
Pistons: also stainless
Rings: one of the places I'd use 660 bearing bronze. Coefficients between bronze and stainless are pretty similar. I want to reduce the wear on the pistons and cylinders and from what i understand stainless on stainless ain't a pretty combo.
Crankshaft: This ones tricky. I want to use stainless with 660 bronze for bearings and crankpin bearings. I guess the other option is 1144 stressproof, but I hear it corrodes pretty easily.
Structurals: All made of either 1018 or 12L14 (whichever is cheaper) and painted.
I dunno, I'm kind of a novice on material selection, but I want to experiment. The target for me is the longevity and functionality of the engine.
Thoughts or recommendations? I really would like to hear what you guys think because you are FAR more knowledgeable than I :bow:
I'm a new member here (this is the first forum that I've ever actually wanted to post on) and I was wondering if I could run some material selection past you guys.
The first steam engine I built was made almost entirely of brass and cast iron. I wanted to try and build an engine, however, that requires very little maintenance and will last for a very long time. Preferably, I would to use corrosion resistant materials that last a long time. In addition, I wanted to try and avoid bronze and brass because its gettin' kind of expensive where I am. So, my proposition:
Cylinders: a single piece of 304 or 316 stainless with bored cylinders. As a result, the heads and boxes are also stainless steel
Pistons: also stainless
Rings: one of the places I'd use 660 bearing bronze. Coefficients between bronze and stainless are pretty similar. I want to reduce the wear on the pistons and cylinders and from what i understand stainless on stainless ain't a pretty combo.
Crankshaft: This ones tricky. I want to use stainless with 660 bronze for bearings and crankpin bearings. I guess the other option is 1144 stressproof, but I hear it corrodes pretty easily.
Structurals: All made of either 1018 or 12L14 (whichever is cheaper) and painted.
I dunno, I'm kind of a novice on material selection, but I want to experiment. The target for me is the longevity and functionality of the engine.
Thoughts or recommendations? I really would like to hear what you guys think because you are FAR more knowledgeable than I :bow: