It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:45 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Piston Material
PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:47 am 

Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:37 pm
Posts: 89
Location: Maine
I need some input on piston material for machining replacement 5" bore steam pistons.
Rather than having castings made I plan to use Durabar. I didn't realize there were so many choices in grades of ductile iron. Any suggestions on what should be used?

https://www.dura-bar.com/products/index.cfm

Thanks,
Bob D.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Piston Material
PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:24 am 

Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am
Posts: 2561
Location: Strasburg, PA
Bob D. wrote:
I need some input on piston material for machining replacement 5" bore steam pistons.
Rather than having castings made I plan to use Durabar. I didn't realize there were so many choices in grades of ductile iron. Any suggestions on what should be used?

https://www.dura-bar.com/products/index.cfm

Thanks,
Bob D.

Don't use ductile iron, it doesn't make a good bearing material and will chew up the bore. Use class 40 G2 cast (or grey) iron.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Piston Material
PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:24 am 

Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:45 pm
Posts: 88
I have used Dura-Bar grade G2 gray iron for pistons up to 10" OD. I'd use it for larger, but I never had the opportunity. The material is readily available, easy to machine, and for one or two pieces, much cheaper than making a pattern and casting the part.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Piston Material
PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:09 pm 

Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:37 pm
Posts: 89
Location: Maine
Thank you very much for the replies and information. G2 Dura-bar it is. I found Alro Steel as a retail source of cut to size pieces.

Bob D.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Piston Material
PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:01 pm 

Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2018 8:52 pm
Posts: 6
Location: St. Clair Missouri
We have had good luck with aluminum. I recently made some for an 11" cylinder that I bored 50 over and 7 1/2" that was 70 over. The aluminum does expand more so have to figure that in the clearances. It works well to replace cast iron pistons that are hollow to avoid excessive weight.

Attachment:
piston7.jpg
piston7.jpg [ 80.3 KiB | Viewed 4282 times ]

Attachment:
piston11.jpg
piston11.jpg [ 130.55 KiB | Viewed 4282 times ]


Chris

_________________
Chris Klossner

Rolling Thunder Machine and Engine Works


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Piston Material
PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 12:50 am 

Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:57 am
Posts: 255
Location: Sandpoint, ID
Dura-Bar G2


Attachments:
File comment: Hal Fuller-style spool-type 17" Skinner Unaflow piston by Cascade Hydraulics (Brian Fleming) Longview, WA
SECO11133Piston.jpg
SECO11133Piston.jpg [ 186.49 KiB | Viewed 4004 times ]
Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Piston Material
PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:04 am 

Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:37 pm
Posts: 89
Location: Maine
Wow! Those pistons are beautiful. Look better than most public art installations.....
Thanks for the inspiring photo.

Bob D.


Offline
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


 Who is online

Users browsing this forum: B&Ofan5300, Bing [Bot], Google [Bot], Majestic-12 [Bot] and 112 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: