Over the past several months many participants in the Board have expressed interest in Marine Metalurgy both as postings and in private e-mails to me. For anyone on the East Coast that is interested I will be teaching a seminar on Marine Metals at the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory (you don't have to own a wooden boat to come) on Saturday April 27th. This will be an expanded version of the lecture that I did for the CDSOA in Connecticut two years ago.
In the first part of the seminar we will discuss the various metals used in the marine industry and which ones are appropriate for different applications. We will also look at how and why marine metals deteriorate. The goal is to allow the boat owner to recognize signs of deterioration before a fitting fails so that it can be replaced in safety and without great expense. I will have a number of examples on hand for inspection.
In the later part of the seminar we will be discussing casting technology. In other words, how a boat's fittings are made into their final shape. We will go into both sand casting and investment casting.
The seminar is scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. and run until at least 3:00 P.M. There is a fee for the seminar but lunch will be provided.
Anyone that would like to attend should make a reservation by calling Geoffrey McKonly at the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory at 215-755-2400.
The Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory is a nonprofit maritime education organization which seeks to enrich peoples lives through relevant, interactive educational programming based on the heritage of the sea.
Anyone that would like a more detailed description of what the seminar will entail can reach me at 401-625-5224.
Roger W.
Bristol Bronze
info@bristolbronze.com
Seminar on Marine Metals
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Leo MacDonald CD33
Brass called 'Bronze'
Roger et el,
FYI: While sorting out a parts problem at the Millstone Station, I had the occasion to discuss a 'Bronze' sight flow indicator with the manufacturer. After the Engineering Dept. informed me of the standard (B52) and the composition (including zinc), it became evident that the item is really BRASS and I opinioned that. They concurred, stating ' . . . in a Fire Protection Water system it was quite all right'. I replied that if used in a salt water system the exact opposite would be true - to which the manufacturer's engineer agreed. He also agreed that the Sales Dept. may have been in error.
The point of all this is a national nuclear field equipment manufacturer is calling brass 'Bronze' we cannot take at face value the info from a WM, Defender, etc. salesperson.
I think I’ll ask for the material specification on future seacock and thru-hull purchases.
Fair Winds,
Leo MacDonald
'Evening Light' CD33
(Not SYC and Maybe) Groton, CT
macdoreNOSPAM@aol.com
FYI: While sorting out a parts problem at the Millstone Station, I had the occasion to discuss a 'Bronze' sight flow indicator with the manufacturer. After the Engineering Dept. informed me of the standard (B52) and the composition (including zinc), it became evident that the item is really BRASS and I opinioned that. They concurred, stating ' . . . in a Fire Protection Water system it was quite all right'. I replied that if used in a salt water system the exact opposite would be true - to which the manufacturer's engineer agreed. He also agreed that the Sales Dept. may have been in error.
The point of all this is a national nuclear field equipment manufacturer is calling brass 'Bronze' we cannot take at face value the info from a WM, Defender, etc. salesperson.
I think I’ll ask for the material specification on future seacock and thru-hull purchases.
Fair Winds,
Leo MacDonald
'Evening Light' CD33
(Not SYC and Maybe) Groton, CT
macdoreNOSPAM@aol.com
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Bristol Bronze
Re: Brass called 'Bronze'
Leo has a very good point. There are many instances where the name "Bronze" will have more sales appeal than brass. When you purchase something of critical importance, seacock, turnbuckle, chain plate, etc. you should determine the manufacturer and ask about the alloy of metal and for the material specifications.Leo MacDonald CD33 wrote: Roger et el,
FYI: While sorting out a parts problem at the Millstone Station, I had the occasion to discuss a 'Bronze' sight flow indicator with the manufacturer. After the Engineering Dept. informed me of the standard (B52) and the composition (including zinc), it became evident that the item is really BRASS and I opinioned that. They concurred, stating ' . . . in a Fire Protection Water system it was quite all right'. I replied that if used in a salt water system the exact opposite would be true - to which the manufacturer's engineer agreed. He also agreed that the Sales Dept. may have been in error.
The point of all this is a national nuclear field equipment manufacturer is calling brass 'Bronze' we cannot take at face value the info from a WM, Defender, etc. salesperson.
I think I’ll ask for the material specification on future seacock and thru-hull purchases.
Fair Winds,
Leo MacDonald
'Evening Light' CD33
(Not SYC and Maybe) Groton, CT
EVERY domestic manufacturer, by law, has to, when asked, provide the customer with the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of the metal used as well as be able to reference the applicable ASTM or SAE specifications. The only way around this is to have the part made outside the USA. Then the U.S. laws don't apply. The bottom line is that if the manufacturer gives you a hard time or tap dances around the subject -- find a different manufacturer.
Roger W.
Bristol Bronze
401-625-5224
info@bristolbronze.com