Steam engine piston rings
Main > Energy > Steam Engine
General
Pistons are describe in detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piston. The seal against the cylinder wall is formed by one or more piston rings.
Piston rings need to be cut so that they can slide over the piston into a machined groove. Cast iron rings are brittle, so care must be taken when fitting them. Cuts come in several types:
- Step Cut - common for noncritical sealing applications
- Butt Cut - common where high leakage rates are permitted
- Hook Cut - used in transmissions (etc) where oil passage may be needed.
- Angle Cut - used in rotating seals. Restricts bypass in the joint.
- Angle Step - injection moulding.
- Step Seal - a step cut with in inner seal.
- Two Ring Set - butt cut inner and a step but outer ring. Good for high temps and high pressure seals.
- Three Ring Set - 1 butt cut inner and two butt cut outers (staggered).
Other features of piston rings include:
- Chamfer
- Radius
- Scraper
- Vent
- Groove
- Bronze Insert
- Taper
Cast iron rings are used because they are low-friction and resist wear. The mechanical structure of cast iron produces consistent pressure against the bore (cylinder walls).
Manufacturing Description
At Federal-Mogul grey iron piston rings are cast as individual rings in a noncircular shape; there are other ring manufacturers who cut the individual rings from pots or cuffs. The rings are generally machined to the required shape by means of double cam turning, a process in which the ring blank, already axially ground, is copy turned simultaneously on the inside and outside diameters. After a segment equivalent to the free gap is cut from the ring it assumes the free shape that will give it the required radial pressure distribution when fitted into the cylinder. Once inside the cylinder the ring is completely light tight on its outside diameter and exerts the predefined radial pressure against the cylinder wall.
Besides using double cam turning, ring blanks can also be shaped by machining the inside and outside diameters separately. This involves cam turning the outside diameter of the noncircular blank and machining the inside diameter with the ring in the compressed state. The gap is cut out in a step between O.D. and I.D. machining. Heat forming as a means of shaping piston rings should be mentioned to complete the range of options, but this process is seldom used.
Steel piston rings are made from a profiled wire. The rings are first coiled into a circular shape and then the gap is cut out. The necessary shape is obtained using a heat treatment process in which the rings are mounted onto an arbor appropriately designed to impart the required radial pressure distribution.
Profiling of the running faces of taper faced, Napier and slotted oil rings is carried out, depending on the ring design, on automatic O.D. lathes or profile grinding machines using special profile cutting tools before or after coating.
ISO Standards for Piston Rings
From Federal Mogul
| ISO Designation | Edition | Title |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 6621-1 | 11 / 2007 | Vocabulary |
| ISO 6621-2 | 11 / 2003 | Inspection measuring principles |
| ISO 6621-3 | 09 / 2000 | Material specifications |
| ISO 6621-4 | 10 / 2003 | General specifications |
| ISO 6621-5 | 12 / 2005 | Quality requirements |
| ISO 6622-1 | 12 / 2003 | Rectangular rings made of cast iron |
| ISO 6622-1 | 10 / 2003 | Rectangular rings made of steel |
| ISO 6623 | 02 / 2004 | Scraper rings made of cast iron |
| ISO 6624-1 | 08 / 2001 | Keystone rings made of cast iron |
| ISO 6624-2 | 10 / 2003 | Half keystone rings made of cast iron |
| ISO 6624-3 | 08 / 2001 | Keystone rings made of steel |
| ISO 6624-4 | 10 / 2003 | Half keystone rings made of steel |
| ISO 6625 | 12 / 1986 | Oil control rings |
| ISO 6626 | 07 / 1989 | Coil spring loaded oil control rings |
| ISO 6626-2 | 10 / 2004 | Coil spring loaded oil control rings of narrow width made of cast iron |
| ISO 6626-3 | neu | Coil spring loaded oil control rings made of steel |
| ISO 6627 | 09 / 2000 | Expander / segment oil control rings |
Piston Ring Sources
EPM
| Web: | www.epm.com/hydraulic_castiron.htm |
|---|---|
| Phone: | (800) 659-5050 |
| FAX: | (888) 353-7325 |
Called and had a short discussion. 50 pc minimum less than 1O" bores. Cross section width?
Grover Corporation
| Adr: | P.O. Box 340080, 2759 South 28th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53234-0080 |
|---|---|
| Phone: | (800) 776-3602 |
| Fax: | (888) 384-6953 |
Quote request on 4/19/11 by email.
HSC - Hydraulic Supply Co.
| Web: | www.hydraulic-supply.com |
|---|---|
| Web: | www.hydraulic-supply.com/pdf/735.pdf |
| Phone: | 1-800-507-9651 |
Note that they do not have 3" OD rings.
HiTech Seals, Inc.
| Web: | www.hi-techseals.com |
|---|---|
| Web: | www.hi-techseals.com/pdfs/sections/IPC2011_Piston_Seals.pdf - See pg. 98 for cast iron. |
| Adr: | Newmarket, ON, CA (other locations in Canada) |
| Phone: | 905-953-9666 |
| FAX: | 905-953-8739 |
CI-3000 is a 3" ring. It is a Step Seal joint.
Quote request on 4/19/11.
Response
For Cast Iron (CI) piston rings, we have 4 standard sizes available in 3.000” OD:
| CI 3000 | CAST IRON P-RING P-1013 | 3.000” X 0.187” | $24.12/ea | 19pcs Stock |
| CI 3000125 | CAST IRON P-RING P-1013-04 | 3.000” X 0.125” | $38.24/ea | 3pcs Stock |
| CI 3000250 | CAST IRON P-RING P-1013-08 | 3.000” X 0.250” | $38.14/ea | 6pcs Stock (Winnipeg) |
| CI 3000312 | CAST IRON P-RING P-1013-10 | 3.000” X 0.312” | $26.56/ea | 1pc Stock |
Here is a link to a section of our catalogue on our website – piston rings:
http://www.hi-techseals.com/pdfs/sections/IPC2011_Piston_Seals.pdf
Refer to page 98 for Cast Iron details. I’m not entirely sure which dimension you’re referring to as ¼” so let me know if one of these parts will work for you.
Above pricing would be for low volume, higher quantity discounts would be available. Please review these details and let me know how you would like to proceed – we would be happy to send you a couple to test.
Thanks for your interest in Hi-Tech Seals.
Note that prices given above are in Canadian Dollars.
CECO
| Web: | TRYCECO.com/Contact |
|---|---|
| Email: | TRYCECO@ceconet.com |
| Phone: | 800.879.2326 |
Quote requested on 4/19/11.
Response
Dear Mr. Norton,
We do not make Cast Iron Piston rings. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Regards, Claudia Dominguez
Safety Seal Ring Company
| Web: | www.sswesco.com |
|---|---|
| Web: | www.sswesco.com/ss/sspow.htm |
| Adr: | 10736 South Pipeline, Hurst, TX 76053 |
| Phone: | (903) 938-9241 |
| Phone: | 1-800-525-0143 (U.S.A.) |
| Phone: | 1-800-962-3631 (International) |
| FAX: | (903) 938-0145 (Accounting) |
| FAX: | (903) 938-9317 (Sales) |
| Phone: | (903)938-0849 (After hours and weekends) |
| Email: | wesco@sswesco.com |
Plain compression ring, Type PCS Step Cut.
SAFETY SEAL uses a Class 40 Gray Iron which is a more widely used material for piston rings and seal rings. The presence of Type "A" Graphite in a Ferritic or Pearlitic Matrix provides good dimensional stability, uniform hardness, good wear resistance and lubrication retention. The lubrication retention properties of the iron permits the material to be used un-plated and even where lubrication is borderline. This material is also used as a base for plating, IE. Chrome Tin.
Quote requested on 4/19/11.
Response
We do not manufacture rings smaller than 7" o.d.. Thank you for the inquiry. Don Seals
Parker Hannifin Corp.
| Web: | www.parkerseals.com |
|---|---|
| Web: | http://www.darcoid.com/images/uploads/pdfs/EPS5301.pdf |
| Adr: | Salt Lake City, Utah 84119 USA |
| Phone: | (801) 972-3000 |
| Fax: | (801) 973-4019 |
These piston rings seem to require an O-ring as an inner ring.
Federal Fluid Power
| Web: | http://www.federalfp.com/hydraulic_cylinders.php |
|---|---|
| Adr: | 1145 Starkweather, Plymouth, MI, 48170 |
| Phone: | 734.455.1722 |
| Fax: | 734.455.0222 |
Hydraulic cylinders - don't seem to make parts available.
Phonenix Piston Rings
| Web: | http://www.phoenixpistonrings.com.au/products |
|---|---|
| Adr: | 51 Cambro Road, Clayton Nth, Victoria. 3168. Australia |
| Phone: | 61 3 9544 9169 |
| Mobile: | 0403 348 388 |
| Fax: | 61 3 9543 1030 |
Good illustrations of ring types and joints.
Compressor Valves and Plates Services
| Web: | http://www.compressorsparesworld.com/index.php?page=piston_ring |
|---|---|
| Web: | http://www.compressorspareparts.co.in/ |
| Adr: | P-20 Phase III, Kasba Industrial Estate, Kolkata-700107,India. |
| Phone: | +9133-24429938, 22278137 |
| Mob: | +919748086804 |
| Email: | compspare@gmail.com, comparts@vsnl.com |
Cast iron rings are mentioned, but no details. Prices might be better in India - who knows?
Request for quote sent by email.
Federal Mogul
| Web: | www.federalmogul.com |
|---|---|
| Adr: | Bürgermeister-Schmidt-Straße 17, 51399 Burscheid, Germany |
| Phone: | +49 21 74 / 69 - 0 |
| Fax: | +49 21 74 / 69 - 14 90 |
| Email: | info.GOETZE@federalmogul.com |
Excellent manual that gives background information on nomenclature, custom ring manufacturer. piston ring functions, various forces and stress, ring types, how rings fail, etc.
Precision Rings Inc.
| Web: | http://www.precisionrings.com/rings.html |
|---|---|
| Adr: | 5611 Progress Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241 |
| Phone: | 317-247-4786 |
| Fax: | 317-248-9781 |
| Email: | prisales@precisionrings.com |
Provide custom ring manufacturing.
Quote requested on 4/19/11.
Response
Dear Mark,
Please find the attached quotation. Please let me know if there are any questions.
Margaret "Peggy" E. McCoy
Contract Administrator
Precision Rings, Inc.
Unit price: $185.00 File:OpenSource.PDF
Summit Racing Equipment
| Web: | Asc&autoview=ProductName&gclid=CMOF4pr_pqgCFRG4Kgodyy-3Hg |
|---|---|
| Adr: | P.O. Box 909, Akron, OH 44398-6177 |
| Phone: | 800-230-3030 |
| Fax: | 330-630-5568 |
OD generally seem to be 4" or more probably due to racing engine requirements. Prices are in the $25 to $90 range (each).
Chinese Piston Ring Sources
Changsha Zhengsheng Special Piston Ring Co.
Changsha Zhengsheng Special Piston Ring Co.Ltd, the former Special Piston Ring Branch of Changsha Zhengyuan Engine Parts Co. Ltd, and the only special branch producing piston rings for high power diesel engines and engineering machinery, has registered as an independent company
TEL : 0086-731-84475279
FAX : 0086-731-84370902
Post : 410008
Address : No 47 DOU LIN ROAD, CHANGSHA.HUNAN.CHINA
Email Address
Sales : sales@zhengsheng-pistonring.com
General Info : postmaster@zhengsheng-pistonring.com,tiefan0728@gmail.com
Managing Director: Yan ChunGeng
Cnflap Engine Parts (GZ) Ltd.
Company Name: Cnflap Engine Parts (GZ) Ltd. Company Address: Room 1606, No. 3, Tingyuan Road, Haizhu Dist., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China City/Province: Guangzhou/Guangdong Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 510308 Telephone Number: 86-20-89047047 89662107 Local Time Local Time: 00:36 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-20-89231073 Mobile: 86-13829743129 Contact Person: Ms. Avon Tan Position: Manager Department: Sales Department Showroom: http://longjian.en.made-in-china.com
Nanjing Huaqin Automobile Fitting Co., Ltd
Company Name: Nanjing Huaqin Automobile Fitting Co., Ltd Company Address: No. 158 Xiongzhou Esat Road. Luhe District Nanjing City Jiangsu China City/Province: Nanjing/Jiangsu Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 211500 Telephone Number: 86-25-57110942 Local Time Local Time: 00:39 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-25-57500034 Contact Person: Miss Wang Department: sales Showroom: http://hqqp1991.en.made-in-china.com
Changzhou Bestway International Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Changzhou Bestway International Co., Ltd. Company Address: B-39, Shili Ind. Park, Huoju N. Rd., Changzhou, Jiangsu, China City/Province: Changzhou/Jiangsu Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 213022 Telephone Number: 86-15189767958 Local Time Local Time: 00:40 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-519-86704715 Mobile: 86-13706110231 Contact Person: Mr. Steven Yan Position: Manager Department: Sales Department Showroom: http://yanwenfei.en.made-in-china.com
Guangzhou C. Y. Machinery Parts Trading Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Guangzhou C. Y. Machinery Parts Trading Co., Ltd. Company Address: Room 513, No. 1011, Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China City/Province: Guangzhou/Guangdong Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 510660 Telephone Number: 86-20-22007051 Local Time Local Time: 00:42 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-20-82576013 Contact Person: Mr. Sheng Position: Manager Department: Export Department Showroom: http://cyparts.en.made-in-china.com
Tianjin Dalai International Trading Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Tianjin Dalai International Trading Co., Ltd. Company Address: Hexi, Tianjin, China City/Province: Tianjin/Tianjin Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 300221 Telephone Number: 86-22-88243242 Local Time Local Time: 00:44 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-22-88242691 Mobile: 86-13312096705 Contact Person: Mr. Wang Jian Showroom: http://tjdalai.en.made-in-china.com
Zhejiang Borui Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Zhejiang Borui Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd. Company Address: Ruian Auto & Motorcycle Parts Industrial Zone, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China City/Province: Wenzhou/Zhejiang Country/Region: China Telephone Number: 86-577-65336898 Local Time Local Time: 00:46 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-577-65386689 Mobile: 86-13064571691 Contact Person: Mrs. Amixi Zhong Position: Trade Director Department: Trade Dept. Showroom: http://boruivehicle.en.made-in-china.com
We can supply Cylinder liner, Piston, Piston ring, Piston pin. And we also do OEM service for home and abroad customers. About our technology, please don't worry! Because we are the biggest auto engine.
Guangzhou Yize Trade Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Guangzhou Yize Trade Co., Ltd. Company Address: No. 161, Zengcha Rd., Luochong, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China City/Province: Guangzhou/Guangdong Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 510165 Telephone Number: 86-20-62858899 Local Time Local Time: 00:48 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-20-8775565 Mobile: 0086-013352810070 Contact Person: Mr. Herbert Position: Manager Department: Foreign Trade Showroom: http://chinapartsauto.en.made-in-china.com
They make motorcycle parts, too.
Shanghai Niuzhang Auto Engine Parts Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Shanghai Niuzhang Auto Engine Parts Co., Ltd. Company Address: No. 707 Qinchun Road, Shanghai, China. City/Province: Shanghai/Shanghai Country/Region: China Zip/Postal Code: 201100 Telephone Number: 86-21-54942963 Local Time Local Time: 00:52 Mon Apr 25 Fax Number: 86-21-54942965 Mobile: 86-15921736838, 15951735938 Contact Person: Mr. Jack Zhou Position: Manager Department: Export Department Showroom: http://shanghainiuzhang.en.made-in-china.com
BuyATVsOnline.com
Our high quality Piston Rings are the exact replacement part for many Chinese manufactured brands and models of Chinese ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Go Karts and Scooters. This Chinese Engine Part fits many models and makes of Chinese Engines.
These are 47mm (seeing 77mm).
Automotive Piston Ring Sources
JEGS
'''Phone:''' 1-800-345-4545
4.00" Bore, $11.00 ea. http://www.jegs.com/p/Childs-Albert/Childs-Albert-Dura-Moly-Rings/764064/10002/-1
3.736" Bore, Molly Piston Ring Set, $50.00 for set of 8 ($6.25 ea). http://www.jegs.com/p/Sealed-Power/Federal-Mogul-OE-Quality-Piston-Rings/746913/10002/-1
4.00" Bore, 844-E251X, $38.00 set of 8 ($4.75 ea.)
http://www.jegs.com/p/Sealed-Power/Federal-Mogul-OE-Quality-Piston-Rings/746913/10002/-1
Making Piston Rings
Andrews Engineering
- YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNoviQVzDDI
How to Make a Piston Ring
- modelenginenews.org/techniques/piston_rings.html
- This site mentions steam engines.
Pistons and Rings
- http://www.5bears.com/pistons.htm
- This technique shows how to cut them on a lathe.
How To Make Your Own Quality Piston Rings
- http://www.jerry-howell.com/PistonRings.html
- Also turned on a lathe.
Making Piston Rings
- http://www.neme-s.org/Model_Engineer_Files/3135-Making%20Piston%20Rings.pdf
- Four techniques are explained.
- Short, one page article.
Home Metal Shop Club
- http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/news/jul03/jul03.html
- Four methods are described all based on lathe turning.
Piston Rings - The Mystery Revealed
- http://www.oldengine.org/members/holland/images/PistonRings/pstnrng1.jpg
- http://www.oldengine.org/members/holland/images/PistonRings/pstnrng2.jpg
Home Model Engine Machinist
- http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=11344.0
- These are forum entries discussing how to make piston rings.