It is like experimental science. You only change
one thing at a time. Determining if titanium really worked
better
than steel may take thousands of hours of engine time.
I don't see the benefit of the higher conductivity.
What you really want to do is run the steel hotter as that
will minimize the energy loss to the cooling system.

Paul, Fair call on the multiple changes. The reason I mentioned 
Ti was first for the ability of Ti to take nitride and provide 
the hard surface we are looking for as a wear surface. The 
other reason is Ti's strength at temperature which might 
prevent the thin plate from warping. Thermal conductivity 
wasn't a big factor, I might have overlooked that one. How 
thick were you thinking of going on the plate?
Bill Jepson

My guess is .090 about the same depth as the O-ring slot.
My main worry is warpage due to uneven heat. 
What is the coef of thermal expansion for ti? The SR81 had a problem
with that as I recall.

Paul Lamar
 
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