Winsor wrote:
"Chrome plating aluminum ...I think GM used it on the
unlamented Chevrolet Vega before that...In some cases
the process has been superceded by silicone treatments..."
I'm not a metallurgist, I don't even play one on television, but here goes
anyway. This will be broadly general, and generally broad, so if anyone
knows more accurate details, jump in.
Silica and silicone are frequently used interchangably, but are really quite
different. Silicone is a complex chemical, frequently used as a lubricant.
Silica is the main ingredient of sand. The Vega (a friend owned one, and it
literally burned gas to oil in about a two to one ratio at the end) used an
aluminimum block that had unlined cylinders. As I understand this, there is
(broadly general) fine particles of silica mixed in the aluminum. When the
cylinder walls are honed, the silica offers a wear surface much harder than
aluminum. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite hard enough. I understand this
technique has been refined, and may now be successful.
During the era of breast implant litigation, I remember hearing reports of
implants filled with "Silica." That sounds just plain uncomfortable!
Bill Pearce
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|