Regulator Valve materials

Regulator Valve materials

This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 October 2014 at 19:44 by Neil Wyatt.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

Author

Posts
12 October 2014 at 12:48 #166365
Manofkent
Participant
@manofkent
Hi

I am just starting the boiler fittings for my 3 1/2" gauge pacific loco.

I have a lot of aluminium and a little brass / bronze.

Having short arms and deep pockets (!) I wondered if I could use the Aluminium to make the regulator valve which sits in the boiler. There are no brazed parts on this – I am using a Southern Disc type design.

I expect there is a compelling reason why this is a bad idea – can anyone enlighten me please?

Many thanks
Advert

12 October 2014 at 12:48 #1328
Manofkent
Participant
@manofkent
12 October 2014 at 13:15 #166367
Bob Brown 1
Participant
@bobbrown1
I doubt mixing aluminium with a copper boiler is a good idea due to the risk of Galvanic corrosion, aluminium and stainless is not a good idea unless you can isolate the two.

Bob
12 October 2014 at 14:26 #166373
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
Aluminum and hot water/steam do not mix. Rapid corrosion can result, especially in contact with other metals as Bob mentioned. It gets even worse if there is any detergent involved (not likely in steam models, but I have seen some awful results in instrument washing machines and sterilizers in industry)

Bronze is the best choice for boiler fittings. Some people say brass is also OK if exposed to steam only, not used under the water level.

JD
12 October 2014 at 16:37 #166381
Manofkent
Participant
@manofkent
Thanks guys. You have saved me a lot of hassle in the future. I will be hunting for a slab of bronze at the midlands exhibition on Thursday.
13 October 2014 at 12:07 #166428
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
John,if you have a multi meter, try putting a bit of copper and aluminium in some hot water, select a low range on the meter and put one probe on each bit and see the voltage, probably about 0.5V

Ian S C
13 October 2014 at 19:44 #166468
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
I've stopped buying aluminium cookware because of the way it looks when it comes out of the dishwasher, let alone the health risk of acidic food reacting with it.

Neil
Author

Posts

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

Please log in to reply to this topic. Registering is free and easy using the links on the menu at the top of this page.

Code of Conduct

Latest Replies

Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

- Topic
- Voices
- Posts
- Last Post
- FARM BOY Ignition
  Started by: Speedy Builder5 in: I/C Engines
- 2
- 2
- 24 June 2026 at 12:18
  JasonB
- Running 380V 3-phase motor on 230V 1-phase 1 2
  Started by: jimalm in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 14
- 37
- 24 June 2026 at 12:13
  Andrew Tinsley
- Letters and Parcels Box
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: The Tea Room
- 5
- 5
- 24 June 2026 at 12:06
  Neil A
- Hot milk variations
  Started by: Gary Wooding in: The Tea Room
- 2
- 2
- 24 June 2026 at 11:52
  MichaelR
- Moving a Chester MF42Bb(removing milling tool)
  Started by: bowmandj1953 in: Introduce Yourself – New members start here!
- 1
- 1
- 24 June 2026 at 10:22
  bowmandj1953
- Hot radiators in summer
  Started by: Gary Wooding in: The Tea Room
- 8
- 11
- 24 June 2026 at 09:17
  Gary Wooding
- Rapidor 3XM
  Started by: homecat88 in: Introduce Yourself – New members start here!
- 2
- 3
- 24 June 2026 at 08:13
  homecat88
- digital microscope for poor eyesight
  Started by: bernard towers in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 11
- 18
- 24 June 2026 at 07:35
  bernard towers
- Testing Single Point Thread Fitment
  Started by: berwick in: Beginners questions
- 13
- 19
- 24 June 2026 at 05:19
  Diogenes
- Gas Tap Valves. Vintage 1 2 3
  Started by: dee in: Related Hobbies including Vehicle Restoration
- 19
- 53
- 23 June 2026 at 21:24
  Nigel Graham 2
- Taylor Hobson Pantograph Engraver Model D 1 2
  Started by: jaCK Hobson in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 10
- 42
- 23 June 2026 at 21:05
  Charles Jambon
- Model Turbines 1 2 … 26 27
  Started by: Turbine Guy in: Stationary engines
- 28
- 654
- 23 June 2026 at 20:21
  Turbine Guy
- Rapidor Manchester re-build
  Started by: homecat88 in: Introduce Yourself – New members start here!
- 3
- 5
- 23 June 2026 at 19:19
  homecat88
- Advice required
  Started by: janet.ho001 in: Introduce Yourself – New members start here!
- 4
- 7
- 23 June 2026 at 19:12
  janet.ho001
- Orbital – Not your Usual Oscillator! 1 2
  Started by: JasonB in: Stationary engines
- 14
- 28
- 23 June 2026 at 19:11
  JasonB
- Clarkson Horizontal – Redefined in Metric
  Started by: JasonB in: Stationary engines
- 8
- 24
- 23 June 2026 at 18:48
  JasonB
- 3D Printing in the Home Workshop
  Started by: Colin Heseltine in: 3D Printers and 3D Printing
- 3
- 3
- 23 June 2026 at 17:01
  Fulmen
- Rob Roy Build
  Started by: Dalboy in: Locomotives
- 4
- 15
- 22 June 2026 at 21:24
  Dalboy
- Help identifying a mystery thread
  Started by: Beardy Mike in: Beginners questions
- 8
- 15
- 22 June 2026 at 19:04
  Nicholas Farr
- Unwanted Car Software Update
  Started by: Chris Crew in: The Tea Room
- 12
- 16
- 22 June 2026 at 16:48
  paul1956
- Oiling Lathe Ways
  Started by: Blue Heeler in: Beginners questions
- 7
- 8
- 22 June 2026 at 13:34
  Bazyle
- Farm Boy dimensions
  Started by: Speedy Builder5 in: Stationary engines
- 3
- 4
- 22 June 2026 at 13:02
  JasonB
- Nickel Silver
  Started by: Carl in: Materials
- 10
- 15
- 22 June 2026 at 11:52
  Roderick Jenkins
- Flame Licker Engine & USA made 1930’s Empire Water Pump
  Started by: Blue Heeler in: Miscellaneous models
- 2
- 2
- 22 June 2026 at 10:03
  Bazyle
- Film Projectors/Astronomy/Radio Ham-Mark Stuckey
  Started by: Mark Easingwood in: Related Hobbies including Vehicle Restoration
- 1
- 1
- 21 June 2026 at 22:40
  Mark Easingwood

Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

View full reply list.

Latest Issue

July 2026

Buy Latest/Back Issues

Newsletter Sign-up

Latest Replies