[HWY36]

So I've rethought a lot of things ever since my PRV valve incident with my 100# tank from Open Source Steel (negative plug intentional). I was reading threads about nuts and clamps etc. Are a lot of you guys using silicone bronze nuts? Where can I find them online? I've searched everywhere locally to no avail.

Also, where do you buy quality high pressure clamps? Thx all.

[Gry]

had me running for google: "Silicon bronze is a low-lead brass alloy that is generally composed of 96 percent copper. The remainder can be made from silicon and a variety of other alloys such as manganese, tin, iron, or zinc. Silicon Bronze is known for its easy pouring ability, appealing surface finish and superior corrosion resistant properties, even when submerged in liquids and chemicals. Silicon Bronze was originally developed for the chemical industry but later expanded due to its good casting characteristics."

[Pangea]

I think that www.austenitex.com stocks some quality products, including replacement nuts, hp clamps, as well as some not so common gaskets.

Ive also looked into silicone bronze nuts, but I havent gone that route yet. I just do regular replacements on the brass and dont over torque them. It'd be nice if the silicon bronze sheds less than the standard brass, not certain what the exact benefits are, the mentioned site says to use brass on the 12"clamps for some reason??

[Old Gold]

I used to use them, and could get them on Amazon. I think last time i checked, the seller was out of stock indefinitely. They definitely don't strip like brass haha. I have never used a brass nut without seeing it strip.

I've heard silicon bronze doesn't need to be lubricated and it won't gall against 300 series stainless steels.

From a mechanics standpoint, the nuts are really the fasteners, so they should be the strongest material (304 stainless steel), and the bolts should be a different alloy of stainless steel to help prevent galling (316 would make sense here). Silicon bronze is a step in the right direction though, as it is waaaayyyy stronger than brass.

[Gray Wolf]

Originally Posted by HWY36

So I've rethought a lot of things ever since my PRV valve incident with my 100# tank from Open Source Steel (negative plug intentional). I was reading threads about nuts and clamps etc. Are a lot of you guys using silicone bronze nuts? Where can I find them online? I've searched everywhere locally to no avail.

Also, where do you buy quality high pressure clamps? Thx all.

We get our high SSH high pressure clamps from LJ Star.

[HWY36]

Originally Posted by Gray Wolf

We get our high SSH high pressure clamps from LJ Star.

Do you use silicone bronze nuts?

[SkyHighLer]

GW,

"Si Bronze is a very good choice for the application, which is strong, self lubricating, and doesn't gall with stainless.

You could use a Carbon steel bolt and a thread lubricant. If you use the thread lubricant, your torque values won't work."

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.ph...&postcount=244


That was the general conclusion from past discussions.

[divine moments]

Why not just correctly torqued stainless nuts?

[Gray Wolf]

Originally Posted by HWY36

Do you use silicone bronze nuts?

Yes I do. And we torque them to specification.

Si Bronze actually has a higher tensile strength than the stainless, though not as much elongation. It is also self lubricating, so no Antiseize is required.

If you over torque them repeatedly, you will however shear the threads.

Stainless to stainless of course galls badly without Antiseize, and with it torque values are worthless.

https://elginfasteners.com/resources/materials/material-specifications/silicon-bronze-655/

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by divine moments

Why not just correctly torqued stainless nuts?

have you tried this without using any kind of lubrication?

You only screw the nut on the bolt once.....and then cut the bolt to remove it.
Without any kind of lube SS on SS binds right the fuck up.