What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
(OP)
I like to play and abuse RC car models like this:
http://rccaraction.com/Media/CorePages/4_0.jpg
However, when making big jumps or high-speed crashes (they can even reach 90mph), even steel parts gets damaged and needs to be substituted. See these damaged/broken parts for example:
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Is there, in theory, a material better than steel for these parts, that could be mass produced with a price to consumer <$1000 for all the critical parts of these cars (let's say 200 grams or 1/2 oz)?
http://rccaraction.com/Media/CorePages/4_0.jpg
However, when making big jumps or high-speed crashes (they can even reach 90mph), even steel parts gets damaged and needs to be substituted. See these damaged/broken parts for example:
ht
Is there, in theory, a material better than steel for these parts, that could be mass produced with a price to consumer <$1000 for all the critical parts of these cars (let's say 200 grams or 1/2 oz)?





RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
I'm not in the field but... what about the kevlar that has a yield strengh of 3600 MTa compared to the 800 MTa of a medium steel?
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
It would be helpful to see the broken surfaces on The (threaded?) end-fittings that broke. If fatigue is indicated there are probably geometry changes that could be made to reduce stress concentration and get huge life increases.
I hate Using super materials to compensate for bad geometry.
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
Materials crash course...
Steel - heavy but strong and resists impact loads well (more chance of bending before breakage). Very rigid. Cheap. Welds easiest and machines well.
Aluminum - about the same strength to weight ratio as steel but doesn't resist impact loads well and WILL eventually break. Requires very good understanding of loading conditions to prevent excessive deflection and/or failure. Easiest to machine though.
Titanium - somewhere in between aluminum and steel on properties, absorbs impact well, expensive and tougher to machine.
Disclaimer: these are obviously generalities and can not account for every composition of these materials.
As far as I know, you can get RC parts in all of these materials and some plastic components. I think the manufacturer's have the material choices that are economical nailed down.
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
As has been stated, redesign first to minimize stress concentrations and excessive flexure.
Then it is time to find a shop with a small 3 axis model mill and select an alloy.
Personally I like the idea of Maraging 250 or a PH stainless (Custom 455 or 465 come to mind). The advantage of these alloys is that the final heat treatment is at low temp (1000F) so there is minimal distortion.
Just remember, you make one part stronger something else will break.
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Plymouth Tube
RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?
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RE: What's the best/strongest material for RC car models?