What I Learned From the Zinc Pest Threads:

Looks good, now repeat in Mandarin.

Good one, CH!  :-)

colorado hirailer posted:

Looks good, now repeat in Mandarin.

以下是由知识渊博的几个贡献者提供的信息：

1，各种锌合金的组合物的纯度是最重要的。

2.熔融合金以及它如何被注入模具的浇口的处理为永久铸件至关重要。

3，模具必须是无污染的。

4.铅污染似乎是主要的罪魁祸首。

5.注射必须小心，以防止防止氧气吸收或散热不良。

6.有些扎马合金更容易出现裂纹可能。

通过除去铸件的合金和注射过程7.良好的质量控制是必要的质量具有相对长的寿命铸造。

8.我们的压铸列车大部分是稳合金的目标总有一种内在的风险取决于分包商的质量控制协议。所有的厂家都有罪。

我错过了什么 - 请加适量的黄金！谢谢！.......I think 

Now that is IMPRESSIVE!

Tinplate Art posted:

Now that is IMPRESSIVE!

I know - isn't Google Translate wonderful? I don't even know if it's correct.......

Now back to my question: Did I cover the topic summary adequately?  Again, please correct or add.

On number 8: How do you know?

Culpable is an awfully big word with legal ramifications,   I would suggest to which all manufacturers are subject too...

CW: Based on my own extensive experience with MANY modern tinplate diecast components which have been stable for decades. Rob: changed culpable to suseptible. THANKS for the feedback. :-)

In 20+ years I have had ZERO zinc pest issues with both O & SG trains. Luck of the draw - who knows?

Firewood posted:

Tinplate Art posted:

Now that is IMPRESSIVE!

I know - isn't Google Translate wonderful? I don't even know if it's correct.......

I thought I'd be a real smartass and try translating it back to English.

It's IS correct!

I too am very impressed!

CW: Based on my own extensive experience with MANY modern tinplate diecast components which have been stable for decades. Rob: changed culpable to suseptible. THANKS for the feedback. :-)

I can agree that after an item has aged a certain length of time, the likelihood of zinc rot popping up is diminished. But items that were made decades ago were done by different companies than are making the products today. Perhaps the trains are not even being made in the same country.

You'd think the manufacturer / importers would step forward and tell us what they are doing to address the issue and prevent future problems. Or at least let us know   the expected lifespan of their product.

I agree! Have had a boat load of Lionel Classics and Tinplate Traditions as well as many Lionel and MTH engines with zero casting defects. Korean and Chinese production. 

I checked the diecast motor truck frames on my Peter Witt WBB trolley the other day for any casting defects and they were both fine!

It is possible that excessive humidity and heat/cold and improper storage might exacerbate crazing of zinc alloys though the prime cause is likely a contaminated alloy. Prevention hinges on better QC in the alloy formulation and the casting process, both of which ideally should be under the purview  of the manufacturers.

Extreme cold causes zinc alloy decomposition. Early arctic expeditions found this out as food supplies were stored in zinc alloy containers which deteriorated. Trains should be stored at room temperature. Never in an unheated garage in freezing weather.

Tinplate Art posted:

In 20+ years I have had ZERO zinc pest issues with both O & SG trains. Luck of the draw - who knows?

Better knock on wood Art, I have an original Macy'S # 8, wheels were gone.

Joe Gozzo

Zinc pest was a major problem on Dorfan and Marklin trains in the 1920's and early 1930's.  It was due to impurities in the metal and has pretty much eliminated in modern toy trains.  I have old Hornby 00 die cast trains from the 1950's and boxes of Marklin from the 1950's through the 1980's that have no issues.  Some Hornby,  Basset-Lowke and other European manufacturers of real tinplate had wheel fatigue issues with die cast drive and pony truck wheels into the 1950's.  The wheels in question are between 50 and 70 years old and have a lot of wear and tear on them, however.  Dorfan locomotives were so prone to warping and zinc pest that they are extremely rare in today's market in any condition.