"Powell, Ken" wrote:

Also I have heard rumors that Midwest also had problems
with nicka-sil.

My inclination is to go with something that is known to work and
that is hard ferrous metals. My foundry has extensive
experience
with embedding ferrous metals in aluminum castings.
That minimizes the long term risk.

Paul Lamar

Paul, Kawasaki had enough trouble with Nickasil bores that they developed a completely different process for their 2 strokes. I mentioned the electrofusion process in a previous post. The advantage is that the material bonds at the molelecular level. LA Sleeve still does Nickasil plating for AL bores. Flaking is always a possible problem, with disasterous results. I haven't been able to access the carrocos web site for the SAE paper you mentioned. Just kicks you out. One of the guys here where I work wants to see if we could duplicate the process but I need a reference. Any sources besides the SAE Mazda paper? Bill Jepson

Bill, I also happen to like the electro fusion process.  I raced many different makes of bikes thru the years and the K's had the best cylinder durability.  That is the main reason that I am using a Kawasaki 440A snowmobile engine for my miniMax rather than a Rotax (I hate a dykes ring!).  However, this motor had 1 cylinder flaking; I found 2 new cylinders on EBAY for $190 total so I am ready to go as soon as I can finish the plane.  The RV4 is on 'hold' until the knee mends and I get the Max finished.     Ken Powell

 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.  Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            
Copyright 1998-2003 All world wide rights reserved.