Why not ductile cast iron?

[NapierDeltic]

Why ductile cast iron is not an acceptable alternative for cylinder liner/ piston rings?
I know the the grey iron has favourable tribological properties but steel is also used for liners/rings.
From my experience ductile iron is in the middle concerning machinability and wear behaviour. It also releases certain graphite while wearing.
Has anybody tried it and with what results? And why it is a no-go?
My point is that ductile cast iron water pipe fittings are as common as water - so easy to find - and close to intended geometry and dimensions.

 

[SmithDoor]

Why ductile cast iron is not an acceptable alternative for cylinder liner/ piston rings?
I know the the grey iron has favourable tribological properties but steel is also used for liners/rings.
From my experience ductile iron is in the middle concerning machinability and wear behaviour. It also releases certain graphite while wearing.
Has anybody tried it and with what results? And why it is a no-go?
My point is that ductile cast iron water pipe fittings are as common as water - so easy to find - and close to intended geometry and dimensions.

You looking for iron to pours for lubrication.
There is current a thread on iron you may want to read.

Dave

 

[Charles Lamont]

You looking for iron to pours for lubrication.

Dave, it is sometimes hard to understand what you are trying to say. Are you talking about pores?

 

[SmithDoor]

Ductile cast iron does not take lubrication like lower grade cast iron.
Some engine manufacturers will plate the top side of piston rings. Which we can do at home with copper or nickel plating.

Dave

Dave, it is sometimes hard to understand what you are trying to say. Are you talking about pores?

 

[SmithDoor]

Using plate piston rings are use for steel or ductile cast iron sleeve engines for improved lubrication.

Dave, it is sometimes hard to understand what you are trying to say. Are you talking about pores?

 

[NapierDeltic]

Thank you for your answers. I will look for the mentioned thread.
The reason is looking for an easy find raw material here, in Romania.
Mihai

 

[SmithDoor]

Thank you for your answers. I will look for the mentioned thread.
The reason is looking for an easy find raw material here, in Romania.
Mihai

Try bellbars and make blanks using a hole saw to cut the bellbars.

Dave

 

[comstock-friend]

Barbells and window sash weights are at the bottom of the barrel as a source for cast iron. At least old machine parts (non Asian) are generally made with good grades of grey iron or Meehanite (they are, after all, cast to be machined on their various surfaces!). Our club has recently bought Chinesium 'horseshoes' for our horseshoe pitch. A year or two and the set is broken. The 50-60 year old American made ones are still going strong. Barbells are generally acknowledged to be about the worst cast iron out there. Good for a boat anchor if you don't have to count it for live saving purposes.

John

 

[SmithDoor]

I have good cast iron barbells but window sash weights is worst I have found.

Back 1970's had machine cast iron wheels with nuts and bolt showing in machining.
This was hard to machine too.

I Switch cast iron foundry and only purchased grade 45 iron for wheels.

Dave

Barbells and window sash weights are at the bottom of the barrel as a source for cast iron. At least old machine parts (non Asian) are generally made with good grades of grey iron or Meehanite (they are, after all, cast to be machined on their various surfaces!). Our club has recently bought Chinesium 'horseshoes' for our horseshoe pitch. A year or two and the set is broken. The 50-60 year old American made ones are still going strong. Barbells are generally acknowledged to be about the worst cast iron out there. Good for a boat anchor if you don't have to count it for live saving purposes.

John

 

[clockworkcheval]

Barbells in general make excellent clock-weights and pendulum weights. A one kilo barbell is just about right for a home-made clock with a one meter pendulum.

 

[SmithDoor]

One first items I made with barbells is chuck back.
If you look in down load thread hear everyone see how can barbells.

If ever look at large engines manufacturer in 1930's and 1940's, they would 7 piston rings. In 1980's I was rebuild in 1980's now had drop dow to 3 ring (FYI the was in a flood)
Closer look at 1980's chrome plated piston rings was very pours Then looking at rings from 1940' was almost no pours.
That when did research and found out why chrome plated rings.

Dave

Barbells in general make excellent clock-weights and pendulum weights. A one kilo barbell is just about right for a home-made clock with a one meter pendulum.

 

[SmithDoor]

Barbells in general make excellent clock-weights and pendulum weights. A one kilo barbell is just about right for a home-made clock with a one meter pendulum.

Here is a photo I found on chrome plated piston rings

https://www.enterpriseengine.com/wp...42170-Premium-Piston-Ring-Set-STD-12V-24V.jpg
Dave

 

[Badhippie]

If I am correct Meehanite is one of the better grades of Cast Iron and I believe there are 3 grades of Meehanite if I am correct
Tom

 

[SmithDoor]

If I am correct Meehanite is one of the better grades of Cast Iron and I believe there are 3 grades of Meehanite if I am correct
Tom

There is list of grades of cast iron.
When I buying cast iron from Lodi Foundry they list. Higher grade the higher cost( grade 25 and up).
The grade 25 it is 25,000 psi.
I used grade 45 it is 45,000 psi.

Dave

 

[Chiptosser]

Dave, what are you trying to show us in the picture of the three pistion rings?
There is not enought detail to compare anything.

 

[mu38&Bg#]

The traditional cast iron is most commonly used in the home shop. Depending on the production method, the clean break of the cast iron is a nice characteristic when splitting the ring. Will ductile iron work in a model? Sure it will, it's been discussed here before.

Ring technology has evolved a long way since cast iron. If building engines that must runs thousands of hours or make tremendous power, there is a lot to consider. Models? Well, we see O-rings can be effective.

 

[SmithDoor]

It shows the top of ring chrome plated.
It is better if you had in your hand.
Try looking up Cat 3304 or 3208 engine that where I first found the rings.

Dave

Dave, what are you trying to show us in the picture of the three pistion rings?
There is not enought detail to compare anything.