In short, to make an ali chassis as strong as a steel one would mean using more ali to the point that it weighs the same as the steel one so not really worth it.
not being an engineer, i don't know if this would work, but has anyone tried it?
would the extra amount of metal need to get the strength required negate the weight saving? I know that ally is less tolerant to heat build up in the
welds than mild steel and this can weaken things.
If its possible or sensible i'd like to give it a go as i'm trying for a spectaculer power/weight ratio
Oh dear...You have just stepped on a mine - do a search and you will discover that there are strong views on this question.
The short answer is of course you can but you shouldn't.
Theshed has pretty much summed it up... loads on info about this on the 'search' facility.
Not this again
In short, to make an ali chassis as strong as a steel one would mean using more ali to the point that it weighs the same as the steel one so not
really worth it.
ah, but you haven't said what type of chassis.
space frame, NO! (one guy insisted he was doing it, haven't heard from him since. can only assume he met a grizzly end)
bonded and rivited, yes, but you really need to know what you're doing, so no, not really for us 
sorry fallas, didn't mean to open can of worms, not too hot on computer so sorry for bypasing search facility and boring you with questions asked
several times before
thought it could have been worth a go but i'll give it a miss. back to the stell then
yep stick with lovely tried and tested steel
lol normally the person asking the question doesn't see sense so quick 
they normally defiantly keep on with the idea, which defeats the point
in asking
I love it when people step into this bear trap. It's even better than CEC vs BEC.
Basically, Ali is too brittle for the vibrations seen by a space frame chassis and will snap before too long. It may be all right for a car
you're going to use once (say you're entering the lemans 24hr) but not for regular use.
quote:
Originally posted by skinned knuckles
back to the stell then
quote:
Originally posted by prawnabie
quote:
Originally posted by skinned knuckles
back to the stell then
you mean steel or stella lol
Just out of idle curiosity, what does the average steelwork on a locost 7 weigh? 40-60Kgs?
Somebody mention bonding and riveting....Not for us????
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=423.jpg
wow! that bonded and riveted looks amazing...... where could i get plans for that!
Thanks guys for picking up on my miss-spelling of steel..... now i really want a pint of stella!!
anyway, must get back to my shed to keep clearing a space to start my build.
Yes.
The thing is, that could get some weight/stiffness improvments using alumium over steel. But because the material is so diffrent in nateral you would
need to redeisign the chassis to have success. Ie, alumiums good, but you can just make a steel chassis design out of ali and lave half the wieght.
- If nothing else, as you have highlighted, welding aluminum does it no favours. Alumimum also fatiuges badly if your not carfull.
If you want a example of how it doesnt work, look at early alumimum mountain bikes. Very expensive and very prone to early failure.
Daniel
Plans?? That might be why what you can see is 7 years in the making. Honestly for a first build go with steel and do not even think about designing from scratch. If I was not so far in I would cheerfully torch my car and start again.
see deneos photos on here!link
quote:
Originally posted by flibble
Just out of idle curiosity, what does the average steelwork on a locost 7 weigh? 40-60Kgs?
I don't remember what car it was but I remember seeing a car at a show a while ago with an aluminium honeycombe chassis. Can't remember if there was any steel in it though, I might try to find some photos later if I remember.