[TPIN] Valve Sticking

[Nanette Kappus]

    I would like to add a small opinion about this topic.  Having worked 
with many
types of metals within my field, I must say that all metals have pores like 
the human skin; some
much smaller then others due to the density of the metals and also, the 
conditions under which the
metals are being subjected.  Obviously, trumpets do not see red hot temps 
such as often found
in industrial settings.  At that point, the metal pores expand and contract 
as the metals heat up and cool,
allowing particles to be trapped.
    The different metals used in the music industry trap particles also, but 
these can be released through
proper cleaning and the careful use of products that coat surfaces.  Those 
products can be extremely
difficult to remove and can build up until the action of the valves becomes 
slow and sticky.
The propensity of instrument manufacturers to coat the metals for better 
valve action can be
a problem in the long term.  I have found that certain oils, the saliva of 
players taking certain medications,
the use of cleaning products that contain lanolin such as Dawn dishsoap and 
other silicon products,
can truly effect the efforts of these fine craftsman of musical instruments. 
To no fault of their own,
it is very difficult to produce a tight metal component where two metal 
surfaces are supposed to
"get along" and not have friction.  Boundry lubrication helps as long as 
that lubrication
does not fail in certain areas, allowing the metals to dry up and bind.
    So, the harder and smoother the metal component in the valve production; 
the less
problem with accumulative particles within the metal pores.

     Nanette L. Kappus, Tribologist
                 www.binak.com
            binak at rochester.rr.com
"Everyone dies. Not everyone truly lives."
                    William Wallace

The article found on the Getzen Gazette touches on the
> issue of the smoothness of nickel as opposed to the porous characteristics
> of monel. It makes sense to me, where because of the surface condition of
> monel, microscopic particles of crud could accumulate in these so called
> pores that might otherwise be washed away on the smoother nickel plated
> valves that don't have those nooks and crannies.