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Id like to see a full Ti AR barrel , that's where all the weight savings really is.
Id like to see a full Ti AR barrel , that's where all the weight savings really is.
Titanium isn't materally lighter than aluminum. It's draw is that it's similar in weight to aluminum but similar in strength to steel. Also more flexible than aluminum (again like steel) and last won't corrode from things that eat up aluminum and especially steel like salt water. So the weight gain in a gun would be from replacing steel components with titanium (ie. bolt carrier group), not aluminum (lower receiver).
I have a set of Van Staal titanium fishing pliers. They were very expensive ($300) but have been going strong in salt water with no maintenance for 7 or 8 years now and still look near new. Totally corrosion free.
Titanium burns, titanium firing pins had huge problems with going through primers and burning.
Titanium isn't materally lighter than aluminum. It's draw is that it's similar in weight to aluminum but similar in strength to steel. Also more flexible than aluminum (again like steel) and last won't corrode from things that eat up aluminum and especially steel like salt water. So the weight gain in a gun would be from replacing steel components with titanium (ie. bolt carrier group), not aluminum (lower receiver).
I have a set of Van Staal titanium fishing pliers. They were very expensive ($300) but have been going strong in salt water with no maintenance for 7 or 8 years now and still look near new. Totally corrosion free.
Titanium is much heavier than aluminum. 12" long by 1" diameter in Titanium is 1.5 lbs Aluminum same length is .9lbs.
That may be true, but use that same comparison with that same rod made of steel. Titanium has aluminum like lightness with superior strength and corrosion properties, and although not identical in weight to aluminum it is way lighter than steel in the same given size.
Yes your are correct. I work with all those materials daily. The SS weight given the same Dimensions is 2.7lbs. One misconception that I see all the time is people think titanium is lighter than aluminum which is the point I was trying to bring across.
Gotcha. Any input on the titanium "catching on fire" thing? I have worked with all types of materials in the past as both a designer, as well as machinist, but have never witnessed this happening other than internet lore. I agree with you that there is a lot of people that believe it to be lighter than aluminum, and I'm not sure where that came from.
Titanium will catch fire and burn at like 5000f but that's only with super thin strands such as the shavings I get when taking a .003 finish pass when machining.