cam plate hardening

[Stephen Wessel 1Participant @stephenwessel1]

The 2 cam plates in my radial engine are made of gauge plate which I had always intended to harden in the usual way. However, they are thin rings (5/32 x 4" approx with many lightening holes and I am afraid they might distort or, more seriously, develop invisible cracks during the process. So they might be better left in the natural state. The tappet rollers are very hard and all surfaces are polished.

Given the engine will never be run for hours on end but only a few minutes at a time, are the cams going to be OK?

Can gauge plate be nitrided, as this would be the best way to harden them?

I would appreciate the views of anyone with the relevant experience.

[Stephen Wessel 1Participant @stephenwessel1]

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Gauge plate is supposed to harden with minimum distortion.

Look at:

**LINK**

If you google Coventry Grinders Gauge Plate you should find an excellent data sheet as a word document that describes quenching in a molten salt bath to minimise cracking and distortion and gives full data on dimensional changes etc. I can't work out a direct link to it.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 11/06/2014 20:26:29:

… I can't work out a direct link to it.

Neil

.

Nice find, Neil

Allow me …

[direct link]

MichaelG.

[Stephen Wessel 1Participant @stephenwessel1]

Thanks both of you. I decided after reading the link to have them nitrided. This results in practically no growth or distortion so is safe. Gauge plate is entirely suitable for this process and there are companies prepared to do small jobs like this reasonably.

Stephen

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