Hard anodizing By royldoc (Read 703 times)

[royldoc]

I was researching ceramic coating and came across this subject. It is a process of type III anodizing that turns the surface into aluminum oxide. This process is also known as hard coating. I am thinking of building a set up to try to anodize the top of my pistons. This will be a fairly expensive adventure. I am going to need a good power supply. I will also need to fabricate a chiller capable of keeping the parts in the oxidizing tank at about 32 deg. I will also need a circulation system. This is going to be one of my winter projects. It will probably involve a lot of trial and errors. I also suspect I will go through a few pistons. I have done some type II anodizing in the past with some success. This method is not much different. Any input will be welcome.

Roy

[Bashan]

Roy, I get the feeling that if I knocked on your door the mad scientist from the Back To The Future movies would answer. My input would be I don't know what the hell you're talking about but here is a website on the subject. Are you trying to make the piston more durable so you can go to a supercharger? Rich

[royldoc]

Hey Rich, ;D my basement work bench is full of all kinds of stuff from previous and ongoing experiments. I am also working on generating hydrogen from water. My goal is to use it to heat my home first then try running an engine. I am planning on either a turbo or supercharger and will need to be able to keep the piston from burning. I did find out that as the aluminum oxidizes it grows. The oxidization layer will add about .002 of an inch to the surface, it also penetrates the surface by the same amount. The diameter of a piston will grow by about .004. This could be a problem as aluminum oxide is very hard stuff and is not easily machined. It has a hardness of c65- c70 and is almost as hard as diamonds. The piston will need to be machined to make up for this expansion. My lathe and mill will be getting a work out. Also the alloy of the aluminum is another factor.
This will probably be a lengthy subject and I will post my progress. First I need a power supply capable of delivering about 100amps at 75v dc. It probably won't need to be that big, but to big is better than not enough. This will be the most expensive Part of the system.

[Bashan]

Very cool, Scooter Doc has our very own Tesla/Edison in our midst. That added .002" will up your compression ratio but I don't think it will interere with the valves. Is that correct? Rich

[royldoc]

You are correct Rich, if I do just the top of the piston it will not affect the valve clearance. However I would like to be able to do down to the bottom ring groove. I will start with just the top though for the initial test.

Roy

[scooteraddict]

Sounds like a great experiment if you want to spend tons of money but there are companies out there that can do it for you at a smaller cost and get it done faster.

[royldoc]

Nov 15, 2011 19:29:10 GMT -6 scooteraddict said:

Sounds like a great experiment if you want to spend tons of money but there are companies out there that can do it for you at a smaller cost and get it done faster.

How did I know some one would chime in with a remark like this.
Yes there are places that can do it for me faster and cheaper. But I am a do it myself person and don't mind spending the money or time. I may fail but will learn a lot in the process. I have spent many thousands of dollars and countless time on many projects that have failed. I still learned a lot from those experiences. knowledge that is worth every penny. If I do succeed I can say I done that and maybe use my new found knowledge to make a profit.

Roy

[runningslow]

Nov 15, 2011 23:48:48 GMT -6 royldoc said:

Nov 15, 2011 19:29:10 GMT -6 scooteraddict said:

Sounds like a great experiment if you want to spend tons of money but there are companies out there that can do it for you at a smaller cost and get it done faster.

How did I know some one would chime in with a remark like this.
Yes there are places that can do it for me faster and cheaper. But I am a do it myself person and don't mind spending the money or time. I may fail but will learn a lot in the process. I have spent many thousands of dollars and countless time on many projects that have failed. I still learned a lot from those experiences. knowledge that is worth every penny. If I do succeed I can say I done that and maybe use my new found knowledge to make a profit.

Roy

I like the attitude and wish I had that kind of disposable income. ;D

I'm a mechanical engineer and love to tinker, unfortunately my income doesn't support my desire...

[89newbie]

Life continues to amaize me. If you truely think the Juice is worth the sqeeze go for it. As far as a hydrogen generator to produce gas to heat your home, interesting. As a former HVAC person this will work, if you have the correct furnace. If you have one that reads M.P. you will no doubt have some problems.

[tvnacman]

gee for a cooling tank , a chiller comes to mind with an indirect tank with primary and secondary loop . as for your power supply adapting a welding gas powered generator .

as for heating your house I would work with an indirect tank with a solar water heater , supplying a water source heatpump (heatpumps move, not make heat ) .

John