Materials: Difference between revisions
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===Aircraft Grade Aluminum=== | ===Aircraft Grade Aluminum=== | ||
Most flashlights that are made out of "Aircraft Grade Aluminum" are typically of | Most flashlights that are made out of "Aircraft Grade Aluminum" are typically made of 6061-T6 alloy. This alloy is strong, hard, cheap, anodizable and weldable. | ||
===Aerospace Grade Aluminum=== | ===Aerospace Grade Aluminum=== | ||
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== Titanium == | == Titanium == | ||
Some flashlights are available in titanium alloy. These are usually the higher-end custom lights, but some production lights are now produced in Ti. Titanium can be polished to a very shiny finish; bead blasted, or anodized/heat treated for a variety of colors. Ti is more resistant to corrosion than stainless steel and | Some flashlights are available in titanium alloy. These are usually the higher-end custom lights, but some production lights are now produced in Ti. Titanium can be polished to a very shiny finish; bead blasted, or anodized/heat treated for a variety of colors. Ti is more resistant to corrosion than stainless steel and weighs 40% less. | ||
Although Ti is heavier than aluminum, it is much stronger. Titanium is more expensive and harder to machine than Aluminum. Like stainless, it does not conduct heat as well as aluminum, and this fact must be addressed when engineering high-powered flashlights. | Although Ti is heavier than aluminum, it is much stronger. Titanium is more expensive and harder to machine than Aluminum. Like stainless, it does not conduct heat as well as aluminum, and this fact must be addressed when engineering high-powered flashlights. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium Wikipedia] for more information on titanium. | ||
See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium Wikipedia] for more information on titanium. | |||
== Summary of Metal Properties == | == Summary of Metal Properties == | ||
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'''Density''' - kilograms per cubic meter | '''Density''' - kilograms per cubic meter | ||
'''Tensile Strength''' - Megapascals, millions of Newtons (a force) per square meter | '''Tensile Strength''' - Megapascals, millions of Newtons (a force) per square meter to cause the metal to yield (or permanently deform). | ||
'''Thermal Conductivity''' - Watts per meter of thickness per degree Kelvin | '''Thermal Conductivity''' - Watts per meter of thickness per degree Kelvin. The amount of heat (in watts) that moves through some thickness of material (in meters) given some difference in temperature between the hot side and cools side (in Kelvins). | ||
Numbers from [http://www.makeitfrom.com makeitfrom.com] for 6061 aluminum alloy, yellow brass, architectural copper, 18/8 stainless steel, and grade 5 titanium. | Numbers from [http://www.makeitfrom.com makeitfrom.com] for 6061 aluminum alloy, yellow brass, architectural copper, 18/8 stainless steel, and grade 5 titanium. | ||