by LEJones-New | Mar 13, 2021 | Learn
As you know, there are different types of wear. Abrasive wear is a common issue that occurs when a hard surface interacts with a softer surface and causes a loss in material. Wear can cause a multitude of issues, many times it being surface failures. You also know...
by LEJones-New | Mar 12, 2021 | Learn
As you know, adhesive wear is one of the most common types of wear mechanisms. Perhaps you can attest to this within your own application? You’re aware that when stresses are low and temperatures are high, VSI’s are generally susceptible to little wear, but, when...
by LEJones-New | Mar 11, 2021 | Learn
Interested in Powder metal? With its near-net shape, it reduces or eliminates machining. Our custom PM materials suit the needs of our customers. The use of solid or liquid lubricants within the microstructure allows for engine manufacturers to reduce clearances which...
by LEJones-New | Mar 9, 2021 | Learn
Bent valves are a common failure that we see every day. The solutions range from alloy selection to VSI component geometric design. If you’re experiencing this, it could be that your valves are suffering breaking because of contact with the pistons. Or maybe it’s...
by LEJones-New | Mar 8, 2021 | Learn
When valve springs fail, your engine can fall apart. You already know that to keep everything running smoothly, valve springs entertain the proper amount of pressure. Thus, if the pressure is too high or too low, it can cause premature wear or improper sealing. If...
by LEJones-New | Mar 7, 2021 | Learn
Do you have a burned valve in your cylinder head? Let’s consider some potential causes—engine overheating, incorrect seal fitting, and carbon deposits could each be to blame. Maybe your exhaust valves are under extreme stress? Or the conduction at the valve head is...
by LEJones-New | Mar 6, 2021 | Learn
Maybe you’ve never seen a burned valve, or maybe it’s an issue you’re facing every day—desperate for a solution. Perhaps Valve Spring Malfunction or the presence of carbon deposits or other combustion by-products are causing the demise of your valves. Burned valves...
by LEJones-New | Mar 5, 2021 | Learn
Valve failure can sneak up on you. As you know, there are many causes. Typically, burned valves will only impact your exhaust valves, but can often harm intake valves as well. Let’s think about what caused it—may be incorrect valve clearances or improper sealing? Be...
by LEJones-New | Mar 4, 2021 | Learn
Do you have carbon deposits building up in your engine? Maybe on your pistons or intake valves? Carbon deposits can cause both fuel economy and performance issues. You know that this easily leads to localized overheating, causing greater thermal expansion and more...
by LEJones-New | Mar 3, 2021 | Learn
Do your current materials meet your desired needs? Proven by diesel and natural gas engine industries, LEJ alloy product is your solution to achieve desired engine valvetrain performance whether it’s preventing wear, corrosion, thermal shock, or considering...
by LEJones-New | Mar 2, 2021 | Learn
Is your VSI experiencing extreme wear? Or unable to perform at elevated temperatures? You may want to consider L.E. Jones’ Cobalt-Based alloys. You know that Cobalt will alloy readily with Chrome, Nickel, and Tungsten—And that it’s widely used due to its superior...
by LEJones-New | Mar 1, 2021 | Learn
The most common issues we service are wear and corrosion. You’ve seen both as potential or actual trouble spots within your applications. Perhaps you’ve even experienced engine failure because measures weren’t taken on the front end. High stress and limited...
by LEJones-New | Feb 28, 2021 | Learn
Catastrophic engine failure is to be avoided at all costs. One of the reasons we are seeing this more and more relates to the extreme differential in fuel quality and the impact that High Sulphur Fuels can have on the valve and seat. High sulfur content in fuels at a...
by LEJones-New | Feb 27, 2021 | Learn
Corrosion is a common problem that you have probably experienced within your applications. That being said, you already know that general factors of this phenomena can be largely defined into three major categories—material (alloy itself), environmental medium (such...
by LEJones-New | Feb 26, 2021 | Learn
Are you experiencing corrosion occurring at an alarmingly fast rate? Was your VSI heat treated and corrosion resistance tested? The risk with corrosion is not corrosion itself, but the type and rate at which corrosion occurs. You already know that when exposed to high...
by LEJones-New | Feb 25, 2021 | Learn
Are you currently experiencing corrosion? VSI corrosion is historically a non-issue, however, the risk has risen significantly in modern engines designed to run on low sulfur fuel if taken into markets with high sulfur fuel. Under engine operating conditions with high...
by LEJones-New | Feb 24, 2021 | Learn
Are you experiencing corrosive wear? What steps have you taken to prevent it? Considering parts are subjected to a combination of the effects of both corrosion and wear—corrosive wear is one of the most harmful forms of wear. The effects are commonly more severe than...
by LEJones-New | Feb 23, 2021 | Learn
Corrosive wear, like other types of wear, often occurs due to improper pairing of materials. It can cause pits with the potential to lead to burning, torching, and degradation—and in severe cases, can result in blackened or burned particles. As you know, when choosing...
by LEJones-New | Feb 22, 2021 | Learn
We understand that the durability of an application is directly related to the quality of its parts and their material compatibility. Every day we walk our customers through cost-benefit decisions and judgment and risk tolerance to provide solutions for their...
by LEJones-New | Feb 21, 2021 | Learn
Is your engine overheating? Cracking is a newer issue that can cause significant damage to your cylinder head. Fixing it is a very complex process—not to mention the potential costly replacement of parts. Perhaps you’d like to consider utilizing Austenitic grade VSI’s...
by LEJones-New | Feb 20, 2021 | Learn
Overheating, preignition, and oil leaks are all clear indicators of trouble within your cylinder head. If you begin experiencing any of these, don’t ignore them. Have you considered that these issues could be prevented by looking into head gasket quality or cylinder...
by LEJones-New | Feb 19, 2021 | Learn
Did you know that L.E. Jones has significant knowledge of design concepts, and experience in VSI press-fit performance based upon valve/VSI alloy pairing, geometry, and engine operational condition? While OEM companies maintain design control over their engine and its...
by LEJones-New | Feb 18, 2021 | Learn
Is your application suffering from detonation? Though it may not be as common in diesel engines, it can still be a significant concern for natural gas engines or rebuild diesel engines. As you know, your engine can incur serious technical damage from detonation....
by LEJones-New | Feb 17, 2021 | Learn
We take measures to ensure that drop-out doesn’t occur because we know that it’s an issue that can’t be tolerated. We service our customers with a range of dimensional stability tests that help predict how much deformation will occur once the VSI is in the engine. You...
by LEJones-New | Feb 16, 2021 | Learn
Have you experienced Drop-Out? Though it’s not the most common issue—Once it happens to you, you’ll be begging yourself why you didn’t account in advance for it. Typically Drop-Out, or Valve Seat Recession occurs due to excessive heat, high-engine speed, and lack of...
by LEJones-New | Feb 15, 2021 | Learn
You already know that the way friction, wear, lubrication and the design of bearings interact determines how durable your part or engine is. Tribology is an extremely complex topic. Durability is another complex issue that primarily involves wear performance, but VSI...
by LEJones-New | Feb 14, 2021 | Learn
You know that the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage in any application is critical, however, the durability of parts is possibly most critical when considering the harsh environment of the combustion engine. Perhaps you’ve been slowed down by non-durable...
by LEJones-New | Feb 13, 2021 | Learn
Is your engine or application experiencing wear? Drop-Out? Corrosion? Many times, these issues occur because of poor engine design or incompatible alloys. Our durable product assumes the stress, to keep the engine running. Our customers don’t have to replace their...
by LEJones-New | Feb 12, 2021 | Learn
Modern engines are being designed to improve fuel efficiency while further reducing exhaust emissions. This is accomplished in part by changes to combustion which increases efficiency (higher PCP) while reducing combustion by-products. In turn, VSI’s are forced to...
by LEJones-New | Feb 11, 2021 | Learn
You know that VSI design includes two major portions: VSI geometry and alloy selection. Our experts review and provide feedback on customer’s designs in order to optimize VSI geometry for performance and manufacturability. Choosing suitable VSI materials for your...
by LEJones-New | Feb 10, 2021 | Learn
As you know, applications are expected to withstand many miles without breaking. “Fatigue strength” refers to the highest strength that a material can withstand without breaking. Many factors aid metal in enduring the stresses of applications. Some of these factors...
by LEJones-New | Feb 9, 2021 | Learn
As you know, wear is common in high-pressure applications. Frictional stress occurs due to excessive friction, torque friction, or torque between the valve stem and the guide or even between the valve and the seat. Excess torque can lead to high valve stem friction,...
by LEJones-New | Feb 8, 2021 | Learn
As you know, differences in diesel fuels around the world create the possibility of corrosion. Dirt in fuel creates corrosion, and corrosion creates its own condensation. The trend towards common rail engines definitely comes with its share of risk. We know this....
by LEJones-New | Feb 7, 2021 | Learn
We know that you want to get as much energy and use out of fuel as possible, and that engines are more fuel-efficient at higher cylinder pressure. L.E. Jones’ valve seat inserts are made of wear durable alloys and machined to the tightest tolerances to create and...
by LEJones-New | Feb 6, 2021 | Learn
Obviously, raising engine pressures results in peak cylinder pressure and maximized thermodynamic efficiency. However, between the piston and the cylinder head, the pressure can be detrimental to your valve seat. In achieving high fuel economy are you compromising on...
by LEJones-New | Feb 5, 2021 | Learn
We all know that valves and valve seat inserts are critical components of applications. Are your current parts top quality? You know that if not positioned properly or made with subpar material there is an extreme risk of valve leakage. If you’re experiencing valve...
by LEJones-New | Feb 4, 2021 | Learn
We employ processes of hardening, tempering, stress relief, heat tinting, and post-weld heat treatment. Have you experienced damage from inadequate heat treatment methods? Every furnace we have is equipped with multiple thermal couples and virtual monitoring systems...
by LEJones-New | Feb 3, 2021 | Learn
As you well know, corrosion is a risk of any heavy-duty engine application. Fuels with high sulfur content will require better corrosion-resistant alloys. For instance, when sulfur content is greater than 500ppm, common martensitic VSI alloys can be subjected to...
by LEJones-New | Feb 2, 2021 | Learn
Are you experiencing rapid power reduction in your engine? Perhaps your application is undergoing hot corrosion attacks. As you know, hot corrosion is the most aggressive form of wear with metals and alloys at extremely high temperatures. Look for sulfidation and...
by LEJones-New | Feb 1, 2021 | Learn
Do you have hot spots? As you know, a hot spot is any localized unwanted spot within your combustion chamber. They can have a detrimental impact on your engine’s efficiency. Carbon deposit buildup can easily become an unnecessary heat source. Obviously, we want to...
by LEJones-New | Jan 30, 2021 | Learn
Maybe you’ve experienced the consequences of impact stress on your application. As you know, the force of the valve striking the seat as it opens and closes can be harmful to parts ill-prepared or ill-designed for that kind of stress. If you’re experiencing this, you...
by LEJones-New | Jan 29, 2021 | Learn
As you know, Intermetallic Rich Alloys are alloys created between multiple metallic elements forming intermetallic phases and behave extremely well in high-temperature environments. We typically recommend them because intermetallic phases possess sustained material...
by LEJones-New | Jan 28, 2021 | Learn
As you know, Iron-Based alloys have many positive attributes that make them suitable for the combustion engine. Martensitic Iron-Based alloys are often used because of their cost-effectiveness, while Ferritic is used for its hardness. If you’re looking for material...
by LEJones-New | Jan 27, 2021 | Learn
In genset, marine engine, and aircraft engine applications, an engine failure could have a catastrophic impact. Therefore, engine design including valve train design should ensure engine component material selection, geometric design, and functional safety. These...
by LEJones-New | Jan 26, 2021 | Learn
As you know, in order to run smoothly, your internal combustion engine must function at a proper compression ratio. Are you experiencing cylinder head issues? If you have a low compression ratio, you may see smoke in your exhaust or experience a burning smell. Perhaps...
by LEJones-New | Jan 25, 2021 | Learn
Is your current supplier able to meet your needs on a global scale? Our fully automated molding process ensures our customers maximum capacity and efficiency. Maybe you’re tired of wasting money on excess molds or overpriced parts. Because our resin-bonded shell mold...
by LEJones-New | Jan 24, 2021 | Learn
We know how pivotal it is for alloys to do their job. Our proprietary products and processes provide solutions for our customer’s applications. As you well know, the performance of an engineered product is directly related to the properties of an engineered material...
by LEJones-New | Jan 23, 2021 | Learn
As you know, if the valve seat is not properly designed or positioned, valve leakage will occur. This can negatively impact your engine compression ratio—in turn, hurt your engine efficiency, engine life, exhaust emissions, and overall engine performance. Maybe you’ve...
by LEJones-New | Jan 22, 2021 | Learn
You know that the technical needs of modern engines, both large and small, are more rigorous than historical engines. Because modern engines are designed to operate at higher cylinder pressure, there is an increased risk of failure for both valve and inserts. VSI’s...
by LEJones-New | Jan 21, 2021 | Learn
Have you considered using Nickel-based alloys? As you know, some nickel-based alloys offer high strength and hardness with the same level of thermal expansion coefficient as cast iron of cylinder head material. Others are good candidates for natural gas applications...
by LEJones-New | Jan 20, 2021 | Learn
Have you experienced premature application failure? We apply a wide spectrum of NDT methods, Eddy Current, Resonant, Machine Vision, Liquid Penetrant, just to name a few. Non-Destructive testing saves our customers both time and money. In quality evaluation,...
by LEJones-New | Jan 19, 2021 | Learn
As you know, compared to on-highway, off-highway engines operate on a whole different set of emission laws. Expectations of fuel economy differ as well. Whether on the highway or off, our reliable product can be trusted to keep your engine running. Industry-wide, the...
by LEJones-New | Jan 18, 2021 | Learn
As you know, overheating is a common trouble spot within cylinder heads. The extreme operational pressure and heat it assumes in order to do its job can cause cracking within your cylinder head or head gasket failures, among other cylinder head issues. Perhaps there...
by LEJones-New | Jan 17, 2021 | Learn
Obviously, we know that your customers demand the highest engine performance. As it relates to the valve train, we see wear resistance, corrosion resistance, thermal shock resistance, and dimensional stability as the primary challenges driving overall performance....
by LEJones-New | Jan 16, 2021 | Learn
Powder metal can provide certain functionality that normal cast metal alloys cannot. As you know, increasing clean emissions standards come with increasing challenges to meet them. In order to meet these ever-demanding emission certifications, you may want to consider...
by LEJones-New | Jan 15, 2021 | Learn
Most heavy machinery uses diesel engines for their powerful torque motors. If you’re experiencing power or performance issues—You may want to consider underlying issues of faulty fuel injectors, dirty oil filters or clogged fuel delivery lines. Low or excessive...
by LEJones-New | Jan 14, 2021 | Learn
If you’re experiencing drop in efficiency or power issues, you may be in trouble. Could it be preignition? In natural gas or biofuel engines, this is a serious concern. You know that this can happen with a spark plug with too high of a heat rating or due to excessive...
by LEJones-New | Jan 13, 2021 | Learn
How do your current VSI’s stand up to pressure and stress? We employ the radial crush toughness test to test the strength and toughness of our product. The test collects data to determine the radial crush strength of powder metal and casting alloy VSI and bearings and...
by LEJones-New | Jan 12, 2021 | Learn
Achieving high fuel economy and low emissions is crucial to maximizing your engine’s efficiency and remaining competitive. Unfortunately, a consequence of calibrations aimed at high fuel economy and low emissions is often a lack of adequate exhaust VSI lubrication...
by LEJones-New | Jan 11, 2021 | Learn
Interested in smaller engine design? Smaller engines can make more horsepower or torque if they are calibrated to run at higher peak cylinder pressure. Through increasing fuel rate and adjusting fuel timing, it’s easy to do in modern electrically controlled diesel...
by LEJones-New | Jan 10, 2021 | Learn
As we know, the goal has always been to be able to produce the same amount of energy from the combustion engine into a mechanical or electrical smaller engine. To achieve this, one must consider the efficiency of the combustion process, engine power to weight ratio,...
by LEJones-New | Jan 9, 2021 | Learn
Are you seeing smoke from the exhaust of your application? This is maybe the clearest indication of a cracked cylinder head or other cylinder head issues. Can cylinder head cracking susceptibility be minimized? A low compression ratio could have serious implications....
by LEJones-New | Jan 8, 2021 | Learn
Yes, Valve failure is the #1 durability risk of wear—but that doesn’t mean you have to experience it yourself. Maybe you’ve had burned valves or combustion leakage within your applications? You know that this typically indicates that excessive wear has caused the...
by LEJones-New | Jan 7, 2021 | Learn
You’re aware of the damage that thermal shock can cause within your application, so you know that the constant and abrupt changes in temperature often cause breakage. Obviously, thermal shock can cause great amounts of thermal stress on your parts. Perhaps...
by LEJones-New | Jan 6, 2021 | Learn
Wear, as it relates to thermal stress, is a frequent issue in the modern combustion engine. You’re already aware that the pressure and temperature are extremely hostile and can impact the durability, longevity, and functionality of your application. If you’re...
by LEJones-New | Jan 5, 2021 | Learn
Perhaps your application would benefit from Titanium-based alloys. As you know, Titanium is used for its toughness at extreme temperatures and high tensile strength. Frequently, it is chosen based on its durability. Its alloys are lightweight and employed for their...
by LEJones-New | Jan 4, 2021 | Learn
As you know, for a material to be tough, it must possess a balance of both strength and ductility. A material’s ability to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing is extremely important for the durability of your application. Different NDT tests can...
by LEJones-New | Jan 3, 2021 | Learn
As you know, valve seat inserts are perhaps the most critical components of the combustion engine. If the insert fails, this most often leads to dramatic declination in engine performance up to engine failure. Valve Seat Inserts transfer heat from the valve to...
by LEJones-New | Jan 2, 2021 | Learn
You already know that a compression loss or poor combustion can lead to carbon deposits and that carbon build-up and extremely worn valve guides can cause sticking valves. Obviously, wear comes in many forms and can lead to this common issue. If you’re experiencing...
by LEJones-New | Jan 1, 2021 | Learn
The tell-tale signs of wear can spell real trouble for an engine’s performance. Are you having issues with leakage between the valve and seat? Or are your fuel emission and fuel economy goals for the engine not being met? You probably know that wear resistance is...
