jez-4-bikes-max
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Just wondering this?
Does aluminium degrade over time?
- Thread starter jez-4-bikes-max
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SLIM
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short answer , yes
long answer , something to do with the white powdery stuff that appears on it
like when you anodize it , the process uses this to coat it , the powdery stuff is drawn to the surface and is coloured
over time it is drawn to the surface , weakening it
there is a chemical name to the process ??
or that is my understanding of it anyway
long answer , something to do with the white powdery stuff that appears on it
like when you anodize it , the process uses this to coat it , the powdery stuff is drawn to the surface and is coloured
over time it is drawn to the surface , weakening it
there is a chemical name to the process ??
or that is my understanding of it anyway
jez-4-bikes-max
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Well I understood that Aluminium oxidises just like that of steel - again as you say its a powdery white dust that collects on the surface. This can make paint come off an alloy frame but if treated in time isnt a traumatic issue.
However I was also infomed (wrongly maybe) that Aluminium turns brittle with age...
Any material engineers confirm this?
However I was also infomed (wrongly maybe) that Aluminium turns brittle with age...
Any material engineers confirm this?
Very much doubt it, but you're not thinking of fatigue life are you? Ie aluminium has a fixed fatigue life - meaning an ally frame will eventually fail if ridden normally where steel might last 'forever'...
Maybe of use to someone but I'm sure you knew that!
Aluminium does oxidise though, just not as easily as steel. It's saving grace is that aluminium oxide protects the 'good' metal underneath, wheras rust doesn't! This means that if your ally frame gets scratched or whatever it will oxidise, but only in a thin layer. You'd have to keep scratching the oxide off & allowing it to form again, to make it spread...
Maybe of use to someone but I'm sure you knew that!
Aluminium does oxidise though, just not as easily as steel. It's saving grace is that aluminium oxide protects the 'good' metal underneath, wheras rust doesn't! This means that if your ally frame gets scratched or whatever it will oxidise, but only in a thin layer. You'd have to keep scratching the oxide off & allowing it to form again, to make it spread...
jez-4-bikes-max
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I was wondering, if it say for example, it was a frame that was just left alone and not used. Would this become brittle with age or would it be as usable as a frame fresh from the manufacturers?
I'd go for it being fine. Obviously that assumes 'alone' is in a relatively benign environment... Fatigue wouldn't be a problem, & nor should oxidation (& that'd probably be obvious anyway).
I'm not a materials engineer though, so I can't remember much materials stuff - any experts please feel free to correct me!
The amount of money that people are willing to spend on old aluminum frames does surprise me sometimes though - the fatigue issue means I wouldn't want to ride one regularly & hard... but if it's been a garage queen its whole life, it'll be fine!
I'm not a materials engineer though, so I can't remember much materials stuff - any experts please feel free to correct me!
The amount of money that people are willing to spend on old aluminum frames does surprise me sometimes though - the fatigue issue means I wouldn't want to ride one regularly & hard... but if it's been a garage queen its whole life, it'll be fine!
jez-4-bikes-max
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I think fatique would break it obviously.
However my question was whether alloy "naturally degrades without use over time"
However my question was whether alloy "naturally degrades without use over time"
