Hi im new here, i just really have a small question to ask as you guys probably have a good knowledge on rotary engines. Well heres the problem;



i am doing a product study into the renesis rotary engine for my technology course at college, and i cannot find any proper soild information on what actaul materials are used in the rotary engine.



Does it use lightweight alloys or high strength steel, or maybe a specially formulated alloy. And the apex and other seals, what are they made from? and how long do they generally last.



Any input of your knowledge would be much appricieated. Thanks.

 

AFAIK, and someone please correct me if im wrong, the side and intermediate plates are cast iron (with machined surfaces for the rotor) the front cover is cast alloy, as are the rotor housings which have some kind of chrome alloy interior surface. Standard the apex, side and corner seals are all steel of some type. They don't use any particular specially formulated alloys.. All fairly standard stuff.

 

the rotor housings are a flat peice of steel which is bent into shape and chromed, then the aluminum is cast around it. the rotors and side housings are all cast iron, although a good grade. the seals are all cast iron, and the apexes have a special coating on them



mike

 

Well there ya go, learn something new everyday.. would never have thought that about the seals j9fd3s.

 

Don't forget that in the FD onwards the side plates are nitrided.

 

One special materials science thing that I know of on the rotarys is the special micro pore chromed surface on the rotor housing surfaces to promote better oiling of the apex seals as they wipe over the rotor surface.



You can find much more info on this subject on the http://www.rx7club.com/forum/

soon as the forum is right now moving to a new ISP.



Search for user scalliwag and the thread resurfacing rotor housings.



From what I have read the apex seals are just run of the mill easily obtainable materials, but can be upgraded to a ceramic, which is a somewhat exotic special material.



As for mileage, the steal seals in a N/A car can run upwards of 200k on a 12A, and ceramics have been known not to have to be replaced and reused again and again as long as the engine has run a natural lifespan w/no cataclysmic engine failures.



hope this help a little to get you started, i am sure there are many guys on here that can tell you much more exciting things than i can come up with though.

 

actually from 78 on they are nitrided



mike