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Difference between revisions of "Materials"
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== 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 == | ||
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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. | 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 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" | 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 == | ||