I've seen some of you weld Estoril chambers up custom, so someone must know this. Are they made from stainless or regular steel?
I am about to re-orient and lenghten the header pipe, clearing pedals and increasing tuned length at the header to bring the powerband down about half a k. Also need to add mounting bracket. I need to know so I know what kind of material and wire to use so it does not fall apart.
Nevermind, forgot about the magnet trick; stainless steel, like aluminum, is not magnetic.
Regular steel
Yup, found that out :) thanks tho Charlie!
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They will cut and bend whatever to shape for you at very reasonable prices, they are Seattle local so If you live around here you can just walk in there and tell them what you need.
actually many stainless steels are magnetic. there are many different types of stainless steel some magnetic some not.. most common stainless is magnetic.
ALL stainless steels are magnetic. 100% chrome however, is not magnetic. Steel means there is iron; iron is magnetic
I've never heard of a non-magnetic stainless steel. I can ask my materials professor tomorrow if its possible, but i dont think it is.
Actually austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic. This type has a higher chromium content and nickel added. This is your high quality stainless, but is softer. The nickel makes the chromium oxide rust barrier more robust.
Your regular (cheap) stainless has a ferric structure which makes in magnetic. A minimum of 10.5% chromium is required to designate it as stainless. Adding carbon to this steel makes it harder so it can be used for knives and scissors.
Most appliances use the minimum chromium content since chromium isn't cheap. Your refrigerator will be magnetic. High-end scientific equipment will not be magnetic.
Stainless exhaust systems are typically cheap stainless also. It does a good enough job for structural integrity.
Ever see rust patches on cheap stainless silverware? Not enough chromium.
-Eric
Yay for metal! I work in a steel processor, and I love having free samples of what ever gauge and type I want!
Just in case you are wondering, a maxi stamped frame is 16ga.
I just read through this whole thread, and learned more than in the 6 years I spent in Junior College. I FRIGGEN LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
Yes, real, quality stainless steel, is non-magnetic. I was talking with a friend that works in a metal shop, he says they have to use a very expensive process to magnetize stainless parts they make for aircraft hydraulics, so they can dip it in some kind of magnetic bath to check for microscopic cracks. May have to ask a exhaust shop, but what I remember from welding up a custom down pipe for my jetta, is that half of it was magnetic and half was not. I did not have any special wire at the time, but it actually held for like a year before I got a better one.
"May have to ask an exhaust shop" about exhaust quality stainless steel that is
They also have some expensive process to de-magnetize regular steel, so with that and the lower quality stainless as pointed out the magnet trick is not 100%.
I did look inside the header pipe i cut off, and there are some rust stain spots starting to appear, so def not stainless, at least if it is it's not enough to worry about using stainless pipe or special wire :)
Plus, it's a moped, if it falls off Ill just turn around and pick it up and ride home really loud!
common stainless is non magnetic (316, 304 ect). However some alloys of stainless are, like you fridge or cutting knives.
all stainless will rust eventually especially if in contact with any ferrous metal (iron bearing< Like Steel) you can weld a steel bracket
to a stainless muffler with regular 70s6 MIG wire. it will be plenty strong, you'll just have some rust migration if left in the weather. but why would you leave your ped out in the rain anyhow. :)
Cool, thanks for the welding tips ferrous!
Like most raw exhausts, it'll start rusting on the shelf if you don't watch it.
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