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What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?
2

What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

(OP)
Does anyone have suggestions for what metal to use for the frame and suspension of an ATV I am designing and building soon? I need something light and strong but also easy to work with and weld? It should be able to take 15ft. jumps and various terrains. I would like the target weight to be around 600lbs for the vehicle. If you could make a dream ATV,what metal would you use?

Thanks a bunch-

RE: What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

Easy to weld?  Probably only one choice here-4130 steel tubing, gas welded.

RE: What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

I agree with Metalguy for the material but not too sure that MIG or TIG weld might not be better.  Will defer to the welding metallurgists for this.  Maybe Metalguy fits this description.

Jesus is THE life,
Leonard

RE: What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

(OP)
Thanks for the replies. $130, that's what I was thinking. Do you think a nice aluminum like the 7005 series would work? I know this is harder to weld, but I like the idea of it's lightweight. I was told that titanium is too flexible for what I need. Any suggestions?

Thanks again-

RE: What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

Ti alloys are not too flexible-it's just that their strength-to-weight ratio is so good that you don't need so much material.  Keep the tube dia. a little bigger and it's fine.  But welding is the problem-difficult, and you lose a lot of strength unless you reheat treat it-difficult on a frame.

Al is also diff. to weld, and would require a HT.  *IF* you can figure out a way to use a high-strength epoxy and good lap joints, you'd be fine, but most people wouldn't trust that.

Stay with 4130, and if you gas weld it you won't have to be concerned with rapid cooling of the welds causing brittle heat-affected-zones (HAZs).

RE: What would be the best metal for an off-road 2wd ATV, single seater?

Use aluminium alloy 6*** 6061 or 6082 good ratio resistance/weight. Easy to weld. Avoid ricristallizazion after extrusion for fatigue and corrosion performance.

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