Titanium booster and galling?

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propeine
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Titanium booster and galling?

Post by propeine »

Title pretty much says it all but to elaborate, if I made the booster body (one of the heaviest parts of a pistol can) out of Gr5 titanium, and kept it well lubed, would it gall. Options for the piston are either titanium as well or 17-4. I'm thinking 17-4 would be better for the piston if I can get away with it.
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T-Rex
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Re: Titanium booster and galling?

Post by T-Rex »

You could Silver plate the threads.
A baked on, dry moly-coat should also work.

I don't suspect you will be threading and un-threading very often, so a coat of copper or silver anti-seize may be enough.

TioDize Type 2&4 will prevent galling. However, they may be costlier than you're hoping for.
Type 2 will leave a surface ready to accept paint, etc.
Typical Ti anodizing, with dc current, will not prevent galling.
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propeine
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Re: Titanium booster and galling?

Post by propeine »

T-Rex wrote:You could Silver plate the threads.
A baked on, dry moly-coat should also work.

I don't suspect you will be threading and un-threading very often, so a coat of copper or silver anti-seize may be enough.

TioDize Type 2&4 will prevent galling. However, they may be costlier than you're hoping for.
Type 2 will leave a surface ready to accept paint, etc.
Typical Ti anodizing, with dc current, will not prevent galling.
I'm not worried about the threads. Just the piston sliding. TioDize is awesome from what I've seen but you're right about the cost.
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T-Rex
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Re: Titanium booster and galling?

Post by T-Rex »

I gotcha. You're worried about the piston galling the inside of the booster? Right?
Just undersize the pistons largest OD so it will not contact the wall.
The only parts touching, during movement, will be the piston's body and the spring ID.

I'd go 17-4, out of your choices, due to the piston being, essentially, a muzzle device and taking the initial gas release.
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propeine
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Re: Titanium booster and galling?

Post by propeine »

T-Rex wrote:I gotcha. You're worried about the piston galling the inside of the booster? Right?
Just undersize the pistons largest OD so it will not contact the wall.
The only parts touching, during movement, will be the piston's body and the spring ID.

I'd go 17-4, out of your choices, due to the piston being, essentially, a muzzle device and taking the initial gas release.
Yes inside where the spring resides as well as through the smaller diameter rear portion. Just trying to keep things as light as I can overall but not aluminum. I agree with you about the piston itself being 17-4 just to take muzzle blast better. Hardened and polished with some good grease.
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cal50
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Re: Titanium booster and galling?

Post by cal50 »

The Nitronic series of stainless steel holds up well to galling and Nitronic 60 is some tuff stuff to machine but makes a very durable part. I had a bar end and turned a blast baffle & spacer from it.

17-4 is excellent material and heat treated I doubt it will ever fail or wear out but the weight reduction of titanium is a nice thing. I just wish titanium was cheaper.
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T-Rex
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Re: Titanium booster and galling?

Post by T-Rex »

propeine wrote:as well as through the smaller diameter rear portion.
Cut an o-ring groove in the rear cap.
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