where to buy aluminum alloys for pistons?

[Hiredgun]

will 6061-t6 work for extreme use?
alloy 2618 seems to be impossible for me to find
im looking for 1inch solid round bar stock. anybody
what other alloy has been used sucessfully on high performance use in
mini ic engine?

[dynosor]

will 6061-t6 work for extreme use?
alloy 2618 seems to be impossible for me to find
im looking for 1inch solid round bar stock. anybody
what other alloy has been used sucessfully on high performance use in
mini ic engine?

I just discovered a site that sell aluminum for around 1/2 what McMaster charge. For instance: 2 1/4" square 6061 for 36" length

$80 http://www.speedymetals.com/pc-2504-...-extruded.aspx

$127 http://www.mcmaster.com/ no direct link

Speedy don't seem to have high silicon alloys, but 6061 has been used to make pistons for model engines for years.

I quick search turned up this on piston alloy:
making pistons

[cnc2]

will 6061-t6 work for extreme use?
alloy 2618 seems to be impossible for me to find
im looking for 1inch solid round bar stock. anybody
what other alloy has been used sucessfully on high performance use in
mini ic engine?

Hi,

If i were you, i would go to a scrap yard & look for those monster pistons from bull dozer & other JCB, you will get'em for their weight of aluminium...then you melt'em & cast the bar stock you need.

These pistons are tough, i think their alloy will do ok at high rev because (to me) they are designed for diesel engin working temperaturs & pressures...(for me: iron cylinders are a must if the cylinder block is made of softer alloy)

For the little money they are the way to go

Hope it helps !

cnc2.

[tstom]

I have boxes of old race engine pistons if you would like some They are forged not cast but the casting idea would probably work for a small model engine PM me if you want any

[Lubo25]

a logical choice would be the T651-4032 Al alloy as this high silicon aluminum alloy offers superb abrasion resistance, really low thermal expansion, and great mechanical attributes thanks to the high silicon percentage I like to have about 13-15% Si...it pretty much allows you to run tighter clearances assuming the sleeve design is a taper sleeve design @ about .0003-.0005" taper...