I'm wondering if someone can help recommend materials for a differential brace. I was thinking of making one from Aluminum, and I think I can get 10 or so made for $80 shipped each.. Only problem is, I'm not sure what material to use. I was thinking 6061 Aluminum - .157" thick. (Just over 1/8 inch) Will that be sturdy enough?

 

would aluminum hold up to the heat of the exhaust right next to it and the diff heat?

 

cardboard

 

What I'm talking about is a machined single aluminum plate, as opposed to the $171 KGparts welded steel unit.

 

I think that Alluminum is kinda soft and would not make a good choice of material. Titanium would be the **** but a bit of overkill. 440 stainless would be cool.

 

Cool, I'll redesign using 440 stainless and check it out.

 

Might want to check pricing and availabilty. 440 stainless minght be kinda pricey. Just a suggestion.

 

440 stainless is cheaper than 6061 aluminum per unit..

 

Just to buy that material in that size is $$$... Then you are chopping off 2/3 of the material never to be used again for this product... May ending up costing more than teh KG one.



1/8" inch thick aluminum would be fine. If you are concerned 1/4 would be the next step up. But 1/8" is fine. Aluminum is stronger than you think. It all depends on how the load is applied to the shape you are making.



Stainless is too heavy and expensive

 

Stainless is cheaper than 6061. And the load will be beared on the ends. I'd have a prototype mocked up but it'd be a few hundred for that alone. if I can come up with a material and design scheme I can have ten made for less than $800.