Technical Question

[Elmtree Line]

How much longer would a copper boiler be expected to last if compared to a steel one ?

The cost of a copper boiler is nearly double of the same design in steel, so would one expect to get ones money back in length of service ?

Thanks Guys

 

[David BaileyK27]

The answer in our small gauge would be years, a steel boiler to the same design would be servicable for a few years but would not take long before the thin metal corroded through, so it would need to be made from a thicker material to last, the problem then is the heat transfer would not be sufficient so a larger burner would be needed, also some sort of water treatment as used on the preserved railways and traction engine ownwers would be desireable.
The testing of steel boilers is more stringent and a test to twice working pressure would be required and retests every year,
So all in all it would not be practicle in our small scales.
I have just completed a steel boiler for a 4 1/2" scale steam roller and the shell is 1/4" thick, tubeplates are 5/16".
David Bailey http://www.djbengineering.co.uk/ < Link To www.djbengineering.co.uk

 

[Elmtree Line]

Thanks David.

Said boiler is in a 5" Steam Locomotive.

 

[Doug]

Wouldn't the rust/corrosion products bung up the steam pipes as well, in a model?