Aluminum

Carbon Fiber

Carbon Steel

Titanium

Glossary of Terminology

CRANKSETS
 - Design Evolution
 - ISIS Standard
 - Crank Length
 - Ceramic Bearings

HANDLEBARS
 - Features
 - Aluminum
 - Carbon
 - Titanium

BICYCLE SEATS

SEAT POSTS

BICYCLE TIRES
- MTN Bicycle Tires
- Bicycle Tire Liners

BICYCLE TUBES
- Schreader Valves
- Presta Tube Stems
- Butyl or Latex

BICYCLE WHEELS

MATERIAL SCIENCE

Bicycle Helmets

Steel

Steel is used extensively in the fabrication industry, both industrial and consumer for three basic reasons:

1. Iron, its main component is in abundance
2. it is easy and economical to work and..
3. very versatile, can be altered both mechanically and chemically to exhibit a long list of properties.

Its main disadvantage is its weight relative to other alternatives. Steel also has limited ability to conduct electricity and as we all are definitely aware of, its tendency to corrode.

Plain Carbon Steels are an iron-carbon alloy with typically less than 1% carbon and residual concentrations of impurities. They do not respond to heat treatment, thus most often cold formed to create parts for the auto body industry and consumer goods. It is cheap, ductile, easily welded and machined.

More sophisticated carbon steels are created by adding greater amounts of carbon and other impurities like manganese, chromium and nickel ( Alloying:). They are heat treated ( Annealing:), tempered, and hot and cold formed to manipulate their microstructure. Both alloying and these manufacturing processes are used to manipulate its strength, machineability and corrosion resistance to create a long list of desirable characteristics appropriate to the end use.

All alloys are identified by a numerical code that identifies the type of impurities, their percentages and the heat or mechanical treatments applied using standard AISI/SAE designations. The AISI code can then be used to predict its physical properties.

Weight: Steel (approx. 8g/cm3) is twice as strong, but approximately three times as heavy as aluminum (approx. 3g/cm3).

Tensile Strength: The tensile strength of steel varies significantly as a function of its final composition and mechanical treatment. It can vary from as low as 200MPa to as high as 2,000 for some sophisticated steel alloys.

Price, if we are talking about bike frames will usually be an indicator of its quality, without getting into a long drawn out conversation of a particular steel's capabilities. Most would have to be a material scientist to truly understand all of steels intricacies and I don't think any of use are interested in going back to university.

Modulus of Elasticity: Typically between 100-200 GPa, offering steel as one of the best and most cost effective options for rigid structures, whether that is a bike frame or a bridge. Steel can be rolled into relatively thin walled tubing to reduce the weight, and yet still retain appealing load handling capabilities.

Oxidation: All irons are prone to oxidation or "rusting" . There are a number of methods to slow its progress.

Nickel and chromium is added as an alloy, to create a long list of stainless steel products with much greater rust resistance than the basic carbon steel. This is probably the primary method of addressing steel's tendency to corrosion.

In the aftermarket auto parts sector most are familiar with surface chroming. This is a plating method to deposit a thin layer of chromium onto the surface of the metal. It is expensive and its success is largely a function of the preparation process. Chromium will not effectively adhere without significant cleaning and polishing. Chrome is toxic so this is not a particularly positive environmental solution and highly regulated by safety associations... thus a down side in using steel and this process to control its tendency to corrode.

Save to: