PIstons

[Sauron]

On Mon, 18 Mar 1996, Edward Hernandez wrote:

> Ed Lansinger wrote
> 
> "Aluminum being a more expensive material than steel, there 
> must be a good reason that the OEMs use it."
> 
> 1) It's light and won't yank the crankpins off the crank at 6000rpm.
> 2) It's much easier(read cheaper) to machine than steel.
> 3) You were correct about the rest, except than combustion temps can
> reach upwards of 4400 F(transient, but hot). Not bad for a calibrator;
> with some training, you be a decent piston engineer.
> 
> 
> Ed Hernandez
> Ford Motor Company
> ehernan3 at ed8719.pto.ford.com
> 

Yes, aluminum is a much easier material to work with, but iron or steel 
would be a techinically better choice, if the weight were less. Also, 
manufacturers rarely retool their operations for iron or steel, if 
aluminum gives a similar level of performance.