Brett & Tiana wrote:

I've just checked out the website of a Winnipeg, Manitoba rotary

engine

performance shop called JHB Performance. The link is
http://www.jhbperformance.com

They specialize in refurbishing otherwise unuseable rotor housings
(assuming they're not warped) by applying a "Cermet" coating,

supposedly

the same stuff used in the engine of the Lemans 4-rotor.
It first I thought they meant ceramic, but apparently this stuff

contains

a carbide substance with a softer matrix material holding it

together.

They also re-do end and intermediate housings and
rotors. Their durability claims sound encouraging but maybe, shall we
say, "optimistic."

My question is, has anybody on here actually used these housings and

if

so, how are they holding up? This would be valuable info because the
latest word (at least according to the RX7 enthusiast
rumor mill) is that Mazda intends to discontinue production of 12A

and

13B rotor housings to free up production space and tooling for more
efficient Renesis engine production. May be just a rumor
but if not, the refurbishing option is looming large--- especially

since

their current prices appear to be half what Mazda is asking for a new
housing.

Archie wrote:

Relative to machining operations:
Cermets can be carbide based or carbide containing, although there are
others.
Carbide containing will take a bit more abuse,
but carbide based have the ability to remove more metal at even higher
speeds.
Although I use them in compressed form, they are also available in

powder

form.
I would suspect the matrix is a steel alloy.
Archie

Archie,
How might they apply it ?
George (down under)

 
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