Find Docs

Trek Bicycle Corporation - ZR 9000 (Page 3)

Wodocs >> Sports : Bicycle >> Trek Bicycle Corporation ZR 9000 Page 3
Trek Bicycle Corporation - ZR 9000
2002 Trek Technical Manual
Zirconium as the ingredient for grain control. From our
testing, zirconium seemed like it was particularly effective.
So when I decided to attempt to create an alloy specifically
for making a bike frame, I decided to get rid of the
Chromium used in 6061, and use Zirconium instead.
Since we use multiple heat treat cycles when we manu-
facture a frame, we needed a high response to the heat
treatment. So I added more of the precipitation hardening
ingredients Silicon and Magnesium.
I also increased the amount of Copper, as it has a strong
strengthening effect, and the copper-based aluminum alloys
show excellent fatigue properties. So I thought more
Copper might help increase the fatigue strength of the alloy.
Another requirement we have is the ability to form the
material substantially at room temperature when it is in the
soft condition. The auto industry uses a couple of 6000
series alloys specifically designed for forming into complex
auto body surfaces. These are 6009 and 6010, sheet form-
ing alloys. The notable difference between these and other
6000 alloys is a significant Manganese addition. So I
added a little Manganese to the alloy to improve the forming
ability.
May I have a bit of alloy, please?
The barrier to testing a new "mix" is that you need a
good foundry to make a batch for you. A single furnace load
of material is 40,000 pounds, or 20 tons of aluminum. If
the alloy does not work out well that could be a lot of scrap.
So I made my best guess at what the percentages should be,
and had the first batch poured.
Great results
ZR9000 has worked out extremely well. It machines
cleaner and with less tearing than 6061 tubing can be
mitered with higher accuracy, and press fits (like headset
bearings) are more precise. In the annealed condition, it
forms very well which helps us make our sophisticated
chainstays. It welds very nicely, with high strength and
good cosmetic appeal. It has an excellent response to heat
treatment, which adds to our frame alignment. So compared
to 6061, it allows us to make the frame without any addi-
tional trouble.
In a completed structure, ZR9000 tests out very well. In
tensile tests of identical complete frames, the yield strength
is about 1/3rd higher than 6061. On our fatigue testing
machines, the ZR9000 frames endure 5 times the number
of stress cycles (at the same loading) as the 6061 frames
before failure.
These results are as good as I could have hoped for.
We have been able to use the higher properties of the new
material to remove weight in places where it is beneficial
and increase the fatigue life and dent resistance of the frame
tubing.
This is the first material that I am aware of that has
been designed expressly for the process by which we make
a high performance bicycle frame and thus to optimize the
frame's performance.
The Name ZR9000 was chosen because the small
amount of Zirconium addition for controlling the grain size
is the key that allowed us to increase the amounts of the
other strengthening additives. The 9000 is because new or
experimental alloys which have not been assigned industry
numbers are designated in the 9000 series. So this is
our Zirconium grain refined, experimental alloy developed
specifically for making state of the art bicycle frames.
Even though I have been working on aluminum bike
frames for 28 years, the pace and amount of innovation has
kept it really fun. I'm sure you will enjoy using our new
products based on this material innovation

<< Previous       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10       Next >>



Other Documents:
1993 Moto Guzzi V 65, 2010 Husqvarna TC 450, 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2011 Yamaha Raider S, 2009 Fantic Caballero Motard 200, 03 bike owners manual en, 04 Bike OM Port, 04 bike owners manual de, 04 bike owners manual fr, 04 bike owners manual it, 04 trailer jogger om de, 04 trailer jogger om en, 04 trailer jogger om es, 04 trailer jogger om fr, 04 trailer jogger om it, 04 trailer jogger om nl, 04 trailer jogger om port, 06 TK Carbon Care Flyer, 06 TK Carbon Care Flyer dk, asset upload file 525 235854, asset upload file 752 235851, asset upload file 391 233620, 001 expert brake supp, 0115801, 01scalpel manual, 05016 C HI PERF ROAD SI vs Dura Ace 1, 05020 A Slice Carbon Fork Top Caps, 05028 A HEADSHOK LEFTY DLR 2 Lockout Lever, 05029 A TN Prophet FDSet Up, 05030 A TN Gemini DH Brake Link Seals, 05031 A TN Road Bikes Chainstay Protector, 06003 A SRM, 0offline 090700carbonsteerertool, 112214, 114608, 115644, 115949, 115971, 116021, 116052, 116138, 116372 OMS 05 Gemini, 116378 OMS Scalpel EN web, 118623 DAYTRIPPER Satisfactionguide, 118630 OMS Track Bike, TN003, TN004, qc 140 inst, rearlockout, 06 EN Cannondale Carbon Road Fork Instructions Tech Note, SB 2000 11, tech tip 2 E, CA.6.1. Re paint program, 00 jek man, 115898,


WODocs | |
All rights reserved. wodocs.com© 2009
WODocs


New Docs

Documents Category:
Arts (Design, Movies, Music, Radio, Television)
Automotive (Cars, Marine, Motorcycle, ATV, Snowmobiles)
Business (Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Construction and Maintenance, Materials, Real Estate, Services)
Electronics (Computers, Motion Control, Power Supply)
Games (Board, Family, Party, Card, Construction, RC Toys)
Health (Animalm, Beauty, Healthcare, Medicine, Pharmacy, Surgery, Weight Loss)
Home (Accessories, Cooking, Decor and Design, Electrical, Family, Pets)
News (Newspapers, Sports, Television)
Recreation (Collecting, Hiking, Scouting, Survival, Travel)
Reference (Education, Libraries and Archives, Museums)
Science (Agriculture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry)
Shopping (Antiques and Collectibles, Clothing, Flowers, Food, Home and Garden)
Sports (Bicycle, Snowboard, Skiing, Other)