Looking for contacts in the racing world

[edbaus]

Hi all,

I know that this is a little off topic, but I figure this is the best place to find the folks I would like to contact.


I was watching the races this weekend and I had seen delays in the pits because of stuck wheel nuts. I may have a solution to this problem.

The company that I work for, Nova Machine Products, a division of Curtiss Wright, has a coating that reduces friction and nearly eliminates the opportunity for galling. The trade name of the coating is Plasmabond.

Nova Machine Products is a specialty fastener company that has been in business for over 20 years supplying threaded fasteners and fastener based services to the nuclear power industry.

PlasmaBond is an engineered surface that is applied using a vacuum deposition process that applies a thin, soft metal layer to the fastener in order to counteract the potential for galling. It is applied at ambient temperature, so it does not change the original properties of the base material. Also, it is a very thin layer (< .001mm) so it does not dimensionally change the part as well.

PlasmaBond was originally created and developed by Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant to solve the problem of reactor head stud galling. They estimate that a stuck head stud costs them $1.5 million. They used the process for 10 years before bringing it to market. They developed two mobile units for the purpose of applying the product at the nuclear sites as well as two stationary units that are permanently located at a facility. Recently, however, the parent company decided that Plasmabond was not part of the core business of making power, so the process was sold to Nova earlier this year.

Plasmabond is better than over conventional thread lubricants because the liquid lubricants migrate from the contact area over time and they evaporate under higher operating temperatures. Plasmabond is a semi-permanent coating that holds up for 10 or more torqued applications. It can be applied to new or existing threaded fasteners. (or non-fastener applications as well. Comanche Peak used it on everything and anything including power breakers and electronic door latches)

Here are some links to more information about the process.

http://www.txucorp.com/power/generation_services/products/Plasmabond/default.aspx

http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/docs/news_room/worldview_august2005.pdf

http://www.nova-nsa.com/cgi-local/CSVXtra/NovaNews.pl

http://www.cwfc.com/Power/spokes/7_EngServices.htm


I am also an avid racer. I have a Porsche 911 that I compete in the NASA GTS series and with Porsche Club. I am also the Northern Ohio Porsche Club of America president and chair one of the drivers education events for the club. I am an engineer for Nova and I am the person who was tasked with transitioning the program from Texas up to Cleveland.

This process is focused on the nuclear industry, but we would be open to commercial sales as well. I have plans to coat my transmission gears this winter as well as some other items in my car.

Thanks

Ed

[1982911SCTarga]

PlasmaBond was originally created and developed by Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant to solve the problem of reactor head stud galling.

Your product sounds great, but I hope those reactor builders don't use dilivar reactor head studs! Nuclear reactors and Porsche 911 engines -- both hotter than the surface of Alpha Centauri.

Brian

[edbaus]

We actually make the head studs too. They are 7" in diameter and about 4 feet long.



Ed

[plas]

Being the inventor of this process let me shed some light on the Gear fretting issue and application. We have coated high speed airline compressor gears to reduce the frequency of fretting and extend the maintenance period ten times the previous life. It has also been discussed that the valve train and rear gear area my be of benefit in a race car. You may also look at the additional protection in the main area allowing a reduced viscosity oil and thus a gain in horsepower.
Ed, I guess Plagiarism is a form of flattery, almost word for word from my writings. Good Show.

[JP911]

Maybe try contacting Porsche Motorsport NA directly. http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsandracing/motorsport/racingcars/pmnabusinessinformation/contact/

[David]

How does this stuff work on austenitic stainless to austenitic stainless fasteners?

Any stress corrosion issues on high strength alloy steel or martensitic stainless?

I work for a utility turbine and pump repair shop so this could come in handy.

[plas]

There are no issues with galvanic corrosion. The material chosen is 99.9% pure and metallurgically compatible to all types of steel. It is used extensively on all turbine areas from Superheated to LP's internal and external components.

[Fast Corners]

I'm just spitballing here but you might try something like preparing a sample set (with a product cut sheet) and send it to Kevin Buckler at TRG. They run multiple cars in multiple series so there may be an opportunity there.