[-BB-]

When a medium gets old, some bend, some snap.

Steel/Chromo bends
Aluminum bends a little, then snaps
Carbon Fiber just snaps

What does Titanium do? Is it between Aluminum and Chromo?

I ask b/c I have some Carbon and a Titanium XC bars that I want to put on a trail/freeride bike. Which would work out better? Or is there not much difference?

 

[Smelly]

I believe Ti bends. anyone wanna verify that?

 

[Pau11y]

I'm pretty certain that Ti bends further than Al, but not as far as steel before snapping, because of the use of Al in the alloying of Ti.

Edit: there are a lot of other factors tho in when Al and steel snaps. For example, a heat treated piece of steel, say t0 Rockwell 60+, will snap a lot quicker after it starts bending than an untreated piece of steel or Al (learn this when I had to heat treat a custom 4130 CroMo BB spindle). However, at Rockwell 60+, it'll take a HUGE amount more force to start it bending than untreated Al or steel. Ti strength comes from the alloying, part of which is Al. Heat treatment is done by cooling to near absolute zero (I know it's below -300 C) vs. actual heating. When Ti is treated, it's damn near indestructible for our intent and purpose (bikes), especially the 6/4 stuff. Ti bars are generally 3/2 and is weaker than steel of the same thickness (the steel bar can be around 40% thinner and have the same strength as the Ti).
Carbon strength comes from the combination of the carbon fibers and the resin those fibers are bonded in. If either one gives, you have no more strength. Those fibers have no elasticity which is why they just snap.

 

[RD]

Just to get you started:

http://www.industrialpress.com/en/mh.asp