[TheForge] Sodium filled valves

[Bruce Freeman]

As you are aware, sodium is so reactive that it will "burn" with
water, instead of air, as the oxidant, and this reaction will start at
room temperature.  The flames you see from this are not the sodium,
but rather the hydrogen gas released from the water.

Sodium is used in valves because it is a liquid at engine
temperatures.  Obviously, it will quickly melt if the valve is put in
the forge.  Worst case:  Valve heats up, softens, air pocket expands
and blow a hole in the valve, hot sodium shoots out, hits you in the
face, dissolving and burning eyes and face in a spectacular display,
like a magnesium fire on steroids.

Now, I don't have hands-on experience with sodium filled valves.  I
don't know how to recognise them or how much sodium they contain.  (I
HAVE heard that the stems are unusually thick, because the stems are
actually tubes.)  Chances are the valves are hard steel, in which case
I really don't know how you could cut them open to check for sodium.
A chop saw will melt the sodium.  If the stems can be cut with a
rotary tubing cutter (in a totally dry area, wearing sodium-proof
gloves, face shield, and clothing) it MIGHT be possible to check for
sodium that way.  You're better off finding out before you start.

On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 7:59 AM, Ron Childers <munlaw2 at hcsmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> A friend who recently joined our group was given a bucket of engine valves
> and wants to "make things out of them". He has no idea what kind of vehicles
> the valves came from.
>
> The old air cooled VW and Chevrolet valves are ok, but not knowing, I told
> him not to do anything with them 'til I consulted my panel of experts. I
> have heard forging or cutting the sodium-filled valves could be hazardous.
>
> 1. Is there a way to tell for certain which ones contain sodium?
>
> 2. What happens if they are heated in a forge?
>
> 3. Cut with a chop saw?
>
> 4. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of misadventures involving
> sodium-filled valves?
>
> I heard in aircraft mechanics school that many engines do have sodium-filled
> valves and that it's a bad idea to try to make punches or drifts out of
> them.
>
> Ron C
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Bruce
NJ

The total lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working.