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2/2/2016 1:28:24 AM EDT
Why are lightning links made of steel? Why not aluminum or titanium or carbon fiber or something like that?

What benefit does steel offer? Was it just a cost measure?
2/2/2016 1:37:37 AM EDT
[#1]
Very limited production window.  Like asking why shivs are made out of spoons - that's what was on hand during the time when they could be made.
2/2/2016 6:10:14 AM EDT
[#2]
Is there a metallurgical reason they didn't use aluminum though? Wouldn't it have been equally available?
2/2/2016 9:11:07 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Is there a metallurgical reason they didn't use aluminum though? Wouldn't it have been equally available?
View Quote

Think like its the 1980s, 3D printers and iPhones don't exist. Titanium was about as easy to get ahold of back then as uranium and aluminum just isn't very durable or as cheap. So using steel was a no brainier plus it's such a tiny piece it didn't add much weight and super light weight skeletonized AR15 had not even been thought of yet.
2/2/2016 5:47:03 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Why are lightning links made of steel? Why not aluminum or titanium or carbon fiber or something like that?

What benefit does steel offer? Was it just a cost measure?
View Quote


The real question is why would you want to make it out of aluminum over steel?  Weight is inconsequential here.  Steel is stronger and cheaper.
2/3/2016 9:03:53 PM EDT
[#5]
Steel was used because it was cheaper.  You could buy a link for $20 back then.  If it was made of aluminum, it would've cost $30 so would affect sales.
2/3/2016 10:59:48 PM EDT
[#6]
Should have made them out of gold with diamonds for what the cost!
2/4/2016 10:31:24 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Should have made them out of gold with diamonds for what the cost!
View Quote


What does a LL weight, maybe an oz or two?

Makes it about 10x as valuable as gold at the moment, quite possibly the worlds most expensive piece of steel.
2/11/2016 2:09:13 PM EDT
[#8]
Topic Moved
2/12/2016 12:05:07 PM EDT
[#9]
Mine cost $80 in 1986. Wouldn't sell it for less than $15K.  Only good investment I ever made and didn't realize it for 20 yrs.
2/12/2016 12:18:58 PM EDT
[#10]
sounds to me like someone is trying to ascertain whether a 3d printed replica would be feasible or if there was something about its operation that required the strength of steel...



don't do it man, but ill mmob.
2/12/2016 12:42:13 PM EDT
[#11]
https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=17&t=291608
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