Bike alloys for GCSE work

[Jack Flash]

Hello!

I need to find some alloys for my GCSE work, anybody know any names of any?
Most of all though I need to know what your fav material for bikes is, thats an important part i need to know.
The more the merrier!

Thanks

JF

 

[slowmotion]

If you go onto Google and search wiki "bicycle frame" you will find some stuff on aluminium alloys.

Good luck.

 

[Zoiders]

7075 Series Aluminium Alloy - very common, heat treated it gains the "T6" label as well.

4130 Chromoly Steel Alloy - very common again under various names and tube manipulations.

Don't say "Reynolds 531" as that's a designation used by only one company, it's only a trade mark.

 

[Rob3rt]

I dont know anything re alloys, but maybe you could possibly contact Columbus, if they give you a response, they will have a lot of info on alloys and tubing, as a bonus it will look good from your GCSE perspective since it will be primary research.

 

[mickle]

Reynolds 531 is a Manganese/ Molybdenum Steel alloy isn't it?

501 is Chromium/ Molybdenum (Chromoly)

 

[HLaB]

Hello!

I need to find some alloys for my GCSE work, anybody know any names of any?
Most of all though I need to know what your fav material for bikes is, thats an important part i need to know.
The more the merrier!

Thanks

JF

Just to ad to the list of alloys, my current frame is Scandium; its my favourite at the moment

 

[Zoiders]

Reynolds 531 is a Manganese/ Molybdenum Steel alloy isn't it?

501 is Chromium/ Molybdenum (Chromoly)

They are brand names/numbers not industry wide designations.

The numbers tend to refer to tube manipultion or heat treatments used by that company and not any particular metalurgy (with a few exceptions)

 

[Zoiders]

I dont know anything re alloys, but maybe you could possibly contact Columbus, if they give you a response, they will have a lot of info on alloys and tubing, as a bonus it will look good from your GCSE perspective since it will be primary research.

Columbus again are unlikey to offer up exact alloy numbers for their own brands of tube set.

You would just be repeating the excercise of claiming "531" as a standard - it isn't.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

This topic has been moved to Know How by the admin team.

 

[I like Skol]

My little contribution for what it is worth......

I have owned a few aluminium alloy frames and the ones I took an interest in are my GT Zaskar from 1994 which is a 6061 alloy and is heat treated once the frame is manufactured to relieve stress and increase strength and longevity. The other ali MTB I had before that was a 7005 alloy which I believe is a popular material choice because it doesn't require heat treatment after welding and if I understand correctly actually self anneals over time and through use.

I reckon a little effort on google or wikipedia would confirm if I am right on these points very easily.

 

[Zoiders]

I am going to go against the internet option and suggest hitting the library and finding an actual reference book on steel and aluminium alloys used in fabrication and engineering.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I am going to go against the internet option and suggest hitting the library and finding an actual reference book on steel and aluminium alloys used in fabrication and engineering.

You could....
And you can look here:

http://reynoldstechnology.biz/our_materials.php

and here:

http://www.columbustubi.com/eng/3_1.htm

 

[Zoiders]

You could....
And you can look here:

http://reynoldstechn...r_materials.php

and here:

http://www.columbust...com/eng/3_1.htm

Again

Reynolds and Columbus are using there own designations and names for certain alloys, they are not going to tell you what's in them in detail.

It's like "Chanelle No 5" or "Colonel Sanders Secret Recipe", they are trade marks and not engineering standards.

That's why he needs to get a reference book from the library.

 

[mickle]

They are brand names/numbers not industry wide designations.

The numbers tend to refer to tube manipultion or heat treatments used by that company and not any particular metalurgy (with a few exceptions)

Zoiders old chap, Reynolds 531 is a manganese/molybdenum steel alloy and 501 is a chromium/molybdenum (chromoly) steel alloy. It might be plain guage, butted rifled, tapered or otherwise manipulated and that's what earns it the 'c' 'st' suffix.

Also 6061 and 7005 aren't the same thing, they are different alloys. 6061 requires a heat-treating process, T6 after welding, 7005 doesn't, which is why a 7005 frame is cheaper to make.

 

[Zoiders]

Zoiders old chap, Reynolds 531 is a manganese/molybdenum steel alloy and 501 is a chromium/molybdenum (chromoly) steel alloy. It might be plain guage, butted rifled, tapered or otherwise manipulated and that's what earns it the 'c' 'st' suffix.

Also 6061 and 7005 aren't the same thing, they are different alloys. 6061 requires a heat-treating process, T6 after welding, 7005 doesn't, which is why a 7005 frame is cheaper to make.

Reynolds is still a brand name though and they used their own numbers that don't transfer to other industries.

People aren't getting their head round that.