Piston ring material options - The Home Machinist!

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob » Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:34 am

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Choosing the right material for piston rings is crucial for optimal engine performance. Teflon rings are an excellent option for minimizing rust issues. They typically require a two or three-piece piston design because they don't expand and contract like o-rings or metal rings. Teflon rings are available commercially in wiper shapes, some even featuring a spring metal part inside to compensate for tolerances, creep, and wear. These features make Teflon rings ideal for steam applications. Some Teflon ring designs also incorporate an o-ring.

O-rings can work effectively if the bore, surface, and gland tolerances are correct and the surface finish is appropriate. However, o-rings need to be replaced periodically due to wear. Viton is often considered the best material for o-rings, whereas silicone is not recommended for dynamic seals. If your cylinders or pistons are made of cast iron or steel, rust may be an issue that can quickly degrade o-rings.

Bill Shields, a frequent contributor, has successfully implemented Teflon seals in Camel Back. He might be willing to share his detailed piston and ring design.

Overall, non-metallic rings perform very well when tolerances and surface finishes are precisely managed. Unlike cast iron rings, which can wear in, non-metallic rings do not. The traditional cast iron ring design is more forgiving of varying surface finishes and tolerances.

An Allen Mogul at our club has been running smoothly with Teflon rings for several years. The owner simply applies a good squirt of oil through the snifter valve ports while running. However, the specific configuration of the rings and pistons is not known.

Rob

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