|
It is not as common nowadays but in the "old days" iron castings such as engine blocks were deliberately "weathered" for several years prior to machining for use. This was to allow the material to "age harden". And yes a much more stable material was the result. I have heard many stories along the lines of some motorsport engineers supposedly dug out an old engine block from the back of beyond and having rebuilt it found that is was a "demon" engine. The stories true or not are based on a sound theory.
Of course modern iron casting are subjected to heat treatment processes which are designed to speed up the age hardening and do away with weathering.
|