Aluminum Bronze

[nx06563]

I have been using aluminum bronze for rods in the last two engines I have built and have had no problems so far. (they both run fine)
Saw a wonderful acronym in an article "UWIH" (use what I have) and took it to heart. I had a bar of Aluminum bronze left from a previous project made a rod with it.
I don't have to make split bronze bearing shells when I make a rod with a bolted cap and I don't have to push in bushings small end or big end for solid rods.
What do the material engineers out there think? Am I looking for a disaster?

 

[kuhncw]

I made the connecting rods for my Silver Bullet twin from 954 aluminum bronze. It runs fine with no bearings or bushings.

Chuck

 

[Blogwitch]

I think the only disaster you could have is with the machining.

Treat the material wrong (usually too fast a drill or cutter speed), and you are liable to end up with a rock hard material that is almost impossible to machine any further.

For many years I have used this material for bearings and small components and have yet to have any noticeable wear on any of them.

There is another pitfall, and that is if you want to silver solder it to another material or another piece of itself, it just won't work unless you put a tiny amount of table salt into your flux solution, then it silver solders fairly well.

Hope this helps

John

 

[BobsModels]

Hi

If you want to silver solder Aluminum Bronze you need a special flux. It is a bit expensive.

http://www.sra-solder.com/aluminum-bronze-brazing-flux-625?gclid=CI_zqI3ChtICFYlbfgodCqgDSQ


Bob

 

[nx06563]

Thanks for the info about machining. I haven't had a problem yet which is surprising since I am usually in a hurry. Faster is always better isn't it?

Original project I bought the Al bronze for did require silver soldering and I used the flux made for it. Still was a bearcat.

Thanks for the good responses.
Hogan