Aerolite

1.2 % Copper 0.12 % Zinc 96.26 % Aluminium 0.99 % Silicon 0.39 % Molybdenum 1.01 % Iron

Aeron

4 % Copper 95 % Aluminium 1 % Silicon

Aich's Metal

60.68 % Copper 1.02 % Tin 36.55 % Zinc 1.74 % Iron

Air

The composition of air and some of the other basic properties are described here. more......

Air Cooling

Increasing the number of cooling fins increases the cylinder cooling. However, the cooling may decrease with an increased number of fins and reduced spacing at stationary to low speeds. This is due to the fact that the air does not flow well between the fins at low flow speeds.

At low speeds the temperature on the leeward side increases and this results in cylinder bore distortion.

Image from the Poppet Valve engine.

Aldal

3.82 % Copper 90.33 % Aluminium 0.57 % Silicon 0.47 % Molybdenum 4.78 % Manganese

Alder

This wood is very durable in water and not so durable in dry conditions. Historically it was used a lot in pumps, piles and sluices.

See also: Timber.

Align

To adjust or set to a line or centre.

Allowance

The prescribed difference in dimensions of mating parts to provide a certain class of fit.

Alloy

A metal made from a combination of other metals or non-metals to produce certain desirable quantities.

Alloy Steel

Steel containing elements other than iron and carbon. Note: Manganese is found in all steels in quantities of up to 0.35%.

See also: High Speed Steel, Nickel Steel, Stainless Steel.

Almag

2.5 % Copper 96.2 % Aluminium 0.6 % Silicon 0.7 % Molybdenum

Alnico

A trade name for a high energy permanent magnet material.

50 % Steel 20 % Nickel 20 % Aluminium 10 % Cobalt

Alpax

Trade name for material used mainly for castings. Low density and corrosion resistance.

87 % Aluminium 13 % Silicon

Alumel

94.47 % Nickel 2.01 % Aluminium 1 % Silicon 2.51 % Manganese

Alumina

The oxide of aluminium.

Aluminium

Aluminium is the basis for a number of alloys. more......

Aluminium Bronze

A type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper, in contrast to standard bronze (copper and tin). more......

Aluminium Piston and Cast Iron Cylinder

This shows the cylinder and piston from my wood and metal beam engine.

As you can see from this obscure view of the piston I did not use piston rings and even so the engine has kept compression.

With steam engines it is quite common to lag the cylinder to insulate it.

Aluminium pistons reduce the reciprocating mass and so reduce vibration (this particular example is rather poor as I offset that advantage by making a brass connecting rod).

See: Pistons and Liners for more information...

Aluminium Piston and Steel Cylinder

This is quite a common combination.

This shows the cylinders and liners from my 5 cylinder rotary engine.

The piston and master conrod are shown on the far left.

In this particular case the pistons are plain with no rings.

You need to take care honing the cylinders and you must wash them to remove any grinding paste before fitting the piston. After I got a good fit I then ran the engine with lots of oil to bed the pistons in.

See: Pistons and Liners for more information...

Ammonium

The ion NH₄ behaves like a mono valent alkali metal. more......

Amorphous carbon

See also: Chemical Table.

Angle Iron

An iron or steel structural member that has been cast, rolled, or bent (folded) so that its cross section is L-shaped.

Angle Plate

A precision holding fixture made of cast iron. steel, or granite. The two principal faces are at right angles and may be slotted for holding the work or clamping to a table.

Angles

The inclination of one line to another. One complete revolution equals 360° (degrees) or 2p radians.

See also: Lathe Tools.

Aniline

See also: Chemical Table.

Annealing

Heat treatment of an already hardened steel to soften it.

Anvil

A heavy iron or steel block upon which metal is forged or hammered-. also the fixed jaw on a micrometer against which parts are measured.

Apron

That portion of a lathe carriage that contains the clutches, gears, and levers for moving the carriage. It also protects the mechanism.

See also: Lathes.

Arbor

A shaft or spindle for holding cutting tools; most usually on a milling machine.

Arbor Press

A hand-operated machine tool designed for applying high pressure for the purpose of pressing together or removing parts.

Ardal

2 % Copper 0.6 % Nickel 95.7 % Aluminium 1.7 % Iron

Area

of a circle, parallelogram, quadrilateral, sphere, trapezium, triangle.

See also: Conversion of Units.

Argentine Metal

85.5 % Tin 14.5 % Antimony

Arrest Point

When heating or cooling a metal or alloy slowly the temperature may cease to rise or fall respectively due to heat absorption or evolution at the material undergoes a structural change.

Ash

A very tough and elastic timber used for oars, blocks and pulleys, spokes of wheels and milk-pails. However, it is not very flexible and is difficult to work. Ash bark is used tanning and the ashes of ash is used for potash.

See also: Timber.

Austenite

A solid solution of carbon in iron.

Automatic Stop

A device which may be attached to any of several parts of a machine tool to stop the operation of the machine at any predetermined point.

Axis

The line, real or imaginary, passing through the center of an object about which it could rotate; a point of reference.

or

The axis of a graph.

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