confirmed
8
edits
Difference between revisions of "Materials"
→Stainless Steel
(→Anodizing: add baked anodizing CPF link) |
|||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
Anodizing can be removed with strong alkali. People have had luck using a product called Greased Lightning, a degreaser widely available in the US (after removing switches o-rings, reflector, glass, etc.). Then they polish it on a buffing wheel with a metal polish called Rouge. The result is glossy, shiny, easily scratched aluminum. Either clear coat or a product called Sharkhide can be used to keep the shine from becoming dull. Here are some examples: [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7357 DRY], [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7734 Ultrafire UF-980L], and [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7737 Solarforce L2i]. It is much easier to remove Type II anodizing than Type III. | Anodizing can be removed with strong alkali. People have had luck using a product called Greased Lightning, a degreaser widely available in the US (after removing switches o-rings, reflector, glass, etc.). Then they polish it on a buffing wheel with a metal polish called Rouge. The result is glossy, shiny, easily scratched aluminum. Either clear coat or a product called Sharkhide can be used to keep the shine from becoming dull. Here are some examples: [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7357 DRY], [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7734 Ultrafire UF-980L], and [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7737 Solarforce L2i]. It is much easier to remove Type II anodizing than Type III. | ||
Flashlights with Type II anodizing can also be broiled in a kitchen oven for 15 minutes to an hour to change black anodizing to purple, brown, copper, or orange. Again, remove all glass, o-rings, circuits, switches, etc. before baking. Type III anodizing does not change colors as much. See this [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?247493 CPF thread] and this [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7417 BLF thread] for results. | Flashlights with Type II anodizing can also be broiled in a kitchen oven for 15 minutes to an hour to change black anodizing to purple, brown, copper, or orange depending on the dyes that were originally used. Again, remove all glass, o-rings, circuits, switches, etc. before baking. Type III anodizing does not change colors as much. See this [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?247493 CPF thread] and this [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/7417 BLF thread] for results. | ||
== Stainless Steel == | == Stainless Steel == | ||
Stainless steel is harder than aluminum, but also much heavier. It is basically steel with a high (11% and higher) chromium content. There are a variety of types of stainless steel with different surface treatments from matte to high gloss. It is not a coating, so it will not peel or flake off. Most types of stainless steel are not magnetic but some are, so a magnet test is not definitive. Stainless does not transmit heat as well aluminum and therefore is not as effective in carrying heat away from a LED. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel Wikipedia] for more information on stainless steel. | Stainless steel is harder than aluminum, but also much heavier. It is basically steel with a high (11% and higher) chromium content. There are a variety of types of stainless steel with different surface treatments from matte to high gloss. It is not a coating, so it will not peel or flake off. Most types of stainless steel are not magnetic but some are, so a magnet test is not definitive. Stainless steel does not transmit heat as well aluminum and therefore is not as effective in carrying heat away from a LED. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel Wikipedia] for more information on stainless steel. | ||
== 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 | Some flashlights are available in titanium alloy. These are usually the higher-end custom lights, but some production lights are now produced in titanium. Titanium can be polished to a very shiny finish; bead blasted, or anodized/heat treated for a variety of colors. By varying the thickness of anodizing, a number of different colors can be generated, allowing for some very artistic designs and patterns. Titanium is more resistant to corrosion than stainless steel and weighs 40% less. | ||
Although | Although titanium is heavier than aluminum, it is much stronger, however it is also more expensive and harder to machine. Like stainless, it does not conduct heat as well as aluminum, and this fact must be addressed when engineering high-powered flashlights. Due to its light weight and high strength, it is frequently used in aircraft, but because most titanium came from Russia and was very hard to buy during the Cold War, US defense contractors nicknamed the metal "unobtainium." See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium Wikipedia] for more information on titanium. | ||
== Summary of Metal Properties == | == Summary of Metal Properties == | ||