I think you could stud weld on some screws and bolt it on. I think it would be
a lot more durable than coatings. Either that or cast it in like Mazda does on
the rotor housings. One could also press in special serrated flat head steel pins
in undersize holes in the aluminum casting. Then grind it
smooth.

Paul Lamar

Paul, The rotor housing is a concentric type of fit in which the heat of operation expands the steel into the aluminum. (which is water cooled to prevent it from expanding faster than the steel) Binding the sideplates to the steel creates a bi-metalic spring that is always trying to deflect. I believe the the best idea if you use a steel plate is to capture the edge, support the combustion area with machined piers  and cool it directly if you can. the intakes could protrude through to ease sealing and a peripheral exhaust keeps the expansion cool. Your drawings on the ACRE site are very close to this arrangement.
I'll try a model later for you.
Bill Jepson

I would think putting the driven in flat head locating pins near the center would 
allow the flat steel plates to expand more or less than the aluminum end housing.
We could put heat sink compound between the steel and the aluminum end housing.
The outer edges of the steel sheet could be captured by the rotor housing.
Two piece formed steel side exhaust ports could be welded to the steel sheet.

Paul Lamar
 
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