Materials
Ever Wonder About What Materials You Should Use?
This article will discuss all the materials/metals and there advantages and disadvantages.
Iron:
Iron is a silvery-white metal. It is softer and weighs more then the rest of the metals, but it costs less. Iron is used for most regular engine blocks and cylinder heads. Iron corrodes and forms rust.
Steel Alloys:
Steel is stronger and harder then iron. Many steel alloys become stronger and resist corrosion better then steel itself. Steel is also used for all the paneling of a car. Incase you did not know, steel is formed by iron and carbon.
Stainless Steal:
Stainless steel is very strong and does not retain the corrosiveness of regular steel. Stainless steel is silvery in color and is used for the body of average car and for parts. Incase you did not know stainless steel is a mixture of steel with nickel, and chromium.
Aluminum Alloy:
Aluminum is a lightweight, silvery white metal. In comparison with steel it weighs one third of what steel weighs. The only lighter weight metal is magnesium. Aluminum alloys are used in rims, pistons, conrods, engine block, cylinder heads, and body parts.
Titanium Alloy:
Titanium alloy is a lightweight stong metal. It is silvery-white in color. It is usually a substitute for aluminum. Titanium makes strong alloys, but can become expensive. Titanium is used for conrods and pistons.
Magnesium:
Magnesium is an extremely light, silvery-white metal. It is used for rims on cars. Magnesium bends easily though and can be expensive.
Forged Metals:
Properly forged steel results in a refined crystalline structure that is tough, mallable, and withstands shock better. Forged iron/steel is amendable to various heat treatments, welding, etc.
Cast Metals:
Cast iron is brittle (there is a mallable cast iron but it is still not as mallable as forgable iron). The difference is in the grain. Cast metals will chip easier because of there grain. Forged metals have a grain from the way they are formed or hammered.
Fiber Glass:
Fiber glass is a strong plastic-like matereial that is lighter then steel. It is used for the siding and/or body of cars. Unfortunatly fiber glass is expensive, but not as much as fiberglass. The majority of body kits you can buy are made out of fiber glass. They normally come in a grey color that needs painting. These new body parts usually need extra sanding and extra paint and clear coats inorder to match the shininess of the car. Another negative side to fiber glass is that if anything bumps or scrapes into it, such as a curb, it cracks easily.
Kevlar:
Kevlar is very stong and light weight. It is used for body panels. Kevlar is so strong that it is known for being bullet proof. Kevlar is a cloth-like material that is built up into layers to make a strong thick mesh.
Carbon Fiber:
Like Kevlar, carbon fiber is a cloth-like material. It is used in body panels and accent pieces. It is very light weight. Carbon fiber parts are made by using a mold. The fibers are laid. Then a thick resin is applied which has the consistency of molassus. The resin hardens and the fibers create a hard plastic like material. One problem with carbon fiber kits is that when they get old and dried out they tend to crack.
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