Corrosion protection of steam plant and machinery
Earlier in the year, following a discussion with Brian Smith it was agreed that an article about some of the products available from Enginewise would be of interest to owners of steam launches and to the readers of The Funnel. Samples were provided for Brian to evaluate on SL Consuta.
Enginewise specialise in the design, manufacture and supply of a range of high specification anti-corrosion products. Initially our target market was owners of classic cars, motorcycles, boats and light aircraft. However, there has been an increasing interest from operators of steam powered machinery, from models to full size vehicles. This brief article outlines the applications and benefits which can be obtained from using Enginewise products to protect steam launches.
At the end of what has been a wonderful summer for boating - in all its various forms, thoughts inevitably turn to laying up the pride and joy. This will mean different things to different people. For owners of steam launches it will probably involve draining and drying the boiler and doing a thorough greasing and oiling of moving parts and those which are liable to corrode if left unprotected. But what products will you use this year? Do you reach for the can of WD40 or look for alternatives. Enginewise products broadly divide into two categories - those for the protection of internal combustion engines (not suitable for use on a launch engine) and a range of external metal protectors which are definitely suitable. XMPX is just such a product and is ideal for use on a steam launch engine and associated components. XMPX contains active contact corrosion inhibitors, it displaces water and lays down a soft, clear, self-healing film capable of providing two years protection under adverse conditions of high humidity and in a salt laden atmosphere. It should be noted that primary protection is still required i.e. something which will keep snow and rain off the surfaces. A tarpaulin or boat house, if the boat is kept on the water throughout the year is all that is required. This requirement for primary protection is not particular to XMPX but applies equally to all soft film coatings, irrespective of the manufacturer.
XMPX would typically be used to protect crankshafts, connecting rods, valve gear and air pump linkages, propeller shaft, steam chest support columns and cross head bearing assemblies etc.
To protect and lubricate components which operate at a high temperature when the engine is being used, CP grease is the ideal choice. With a drop point of 200 Deg. C, it may be used to protect parts which are attached directly to the cylinder block. It is completely water-proof and cannot be made to emulsify. Unlike ‘conventional’ lithium based water-resistant greases which generally have a ‘milky’ appearance CP Grease is a ‘clear’ gelled mineral oil with the same package of active contact corrosion inhibitors used in XMPX. CP grease may also be used to lubricate and protect boat trailer axles.
For those of you who are busy in the workshop perhaps building a Stuart 6A or Elliott Bay Triple, Enginewise can offer a host of other products for keeping corrosion at bay in the workshop and on semi-finished components and assemblies.
A product which will make the job of polishing and preparing the engine, boiler and launch for use and of course, to show it at its best, will, I am sure be of interest to all. Metalace is a product designed specifically for polishing round and ‘near’ round parts. For instance, tubes and pipes, shafts, columns, brass hand rails, stanchions, the list is endless. The product is supplied in two tins, one contains the polishing product, a 4.5 metre long tape impregnated on both sides with a polish and micro-grain abrasive, the other tin contains 4.5m of buffing tape (no polish or abrasive) which is used to remove the polishing residue and bring the surface to a lustrous shine. Application is simple. A length of tape is cut off and wrapped twice around the part to be polished leaving two free ‘tails’. Pulling on each of the free ends alternately, ‘shoe shine’ fashion and moving the tape along the part rapidly produces a shine.