This is kind of long, Sorry.
Regarding rotary housings, they are what is commonly refered to as
"hard
chrome" plated. The composition includes an addition of tungsten
carbide
in the alloy for hardness.
My company is working on a deal with one of the manufacturers for the
housings, to refurbish existing ones with a new performance coating.
They have the only machine in the US that can microfinish the interior
of the housing like mazda does. The company has tested rotary engines
with a ceramic lined interior, and ceramic apex seals, and the results
are amazing. Over 20,000 hours before overhaul, and that is running
much
leaner than you could imagine. Mazda runs this coating on their LeMans
engines - 4 rotor, as well as their hydrogen buring engine.
If anyone is interested in getting a set of housings coated, for
performance or longivity, contact me. There is a possibility of
getting
a reduced rate during the development stage. If this works out, there
will be no need to ever replace rotor housings, unless they are
cracked.
Even damaged ones with a failed apex seal gouges can be brought back
to
as new. Cheaper than replacing them. Also, compression ratios can be
raised, by adding thickness to the rotor itself. possibility of
getting
rotors made from other alloys like stainless steel. Or if you have the
big bucks, some superlight alloy containing titanium.
The ceremic coating may be applied on regular apex seals as well,
hopefully cutting the cost of them, while dramatically adding
longivity,
and durability. One of the biggest issues in any pump is sealing, and
the gasoline engine is nothing more than a great big pump. Fix the
seal
and increase the efficiancy, or in this case Horsepower. The weight
will still be a factor, so for ultra high revving engines, pure
ceramic
will still be recommended.
BTW, for those interested, the way the housings are finished is pretty
cool, the abrasive stays still, and the housing rotates around it in
an
eccentric orbit.
Cliff
93 CYM
Cliff Roberts
President
Metal Solutions Corp
p.o. Box 60002
San Angelo, Texas 76906<<<