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Old 09-12-12, 10:40 AM
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Ozonation
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Bikes: Helix, Brompton, Rivendell, Salsa, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

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Originally Posted by Pinigis
The choice of materials is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. The properties of each alloy (yes, every variety of steel is alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, and other elements) depend upon the makeup, the processing, strain hardening, heat treatments, etc. The material's malleability, toughness, tensile strength, and other material properties are considered when determining the "best" options for a design.

Carbon nano-tubes are incredible, but trying to make a bike that will sell for under $10,000, they are impractical. Steel is great choice for a tough frame with enough ductility to absorb impacts without deformation or cracking. Aluminum has great rigidity and an impressive tensile strength to weight ratio.

There is room in the market for a variety of materials.

Sorry for the diatribe, but I am one of those engineers that actually loved Mechanics of Materials classes.
LOL... we're moving offices to a new building, and I was just packing up some mechanics textbooks just now. Nothing like twisting a steel rod 30 or 40 times until it broke!
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