Dan

iTrader: (75)

I don't understand either. You have guys now cutting chassis plates on titanium (heavier than aluminum) and now you guys have really light magnesium....

glennhl

iTrader: (16)

I would guess they are playing with materials that have different E's (Young's modulus or modulus of elasticity). The lower the E, the more the material flexes under strain. So Aluminum is 10.2 and an easy way to make the chassis more flexible is to use Magnesium that has an E of 6.4. Conversely, an easy way to make the chassis stiffer is to make it from Titanium that has an E of 16.5.

DavidNERODease

I guess as an alternative to graphite for asphalt racing it makes sense.

Dan

iTrader: (75)

Yes, understood on elasticity, but this could be manipulated with larger or smaller cutouts too for flex, along with thickness.

Oleg Babich

In addition to the bigger flex the Mg alloys have much better inner damping and the reduced “noise” compare to aluminium alloys.
Disadvantage - less strength.

MidwestRacer

I too do not see why Mg would be used. Yes it is harmonically more stable, but without extensive testing on cutout and shape in relation to handling changes, it would seem to be a poor idea. Aluminum is already easy to tweak with a hard crash. I cant imagine how a magnesium chassis with the same shape and cutouts would hold up in even a light crash. I would be more interested in a 7k or up series aluminum chassis plate with flex focused more in the front mid area. I am currently already adding 110 grams to my 21.5 chassis.

glennhl

iTrader: (16)

You are correct. However, I personally would not run a magnesium chassis because it isn't as strong as 7075 aluminum. I would be afraid of it tweaking with any hard hit.'

EDIT: I posted this before I saw Oleg's and MidwestRacer's comments that already stated the strength issues. Man, there are a lot of really smart people on this forum!!! That's why I love this forum.

Dan

iTrader: (75)

Magnesium is also flammable, should make all the lipo fires much more epic.

DavidNERODease

Kind of like fibreglass without the cg benefit.

DavidNERODease

The chassis are coated in ceramic apparently.

malkiy

iTrader: (10)

The reason for the finish is:

Do not couple iron, nickel, titanium, copper–bearing
alloys, or 2000 or 7000 series aluminum alloys with
magnesium alloys. Dissimilar metal fasteners (i.e.,
cadmium plated bolts) or inserts, bushings, and
sleeves should be insulated by additional finishes on
assembly

Byronf1

Hi, how is the car on asphalt, out of the box ??

FPMX772

Quick opinion question for y'all. I haven't raced onroad in about 12 years. Im looking to get back into it but don't know which way to go regarding the aluminum chassis or carbon. The tracks near me are asphalt and also carpet. Which would you guys get?

MidwestRacer

If you plan to run the asphalt tracks, purchase a carbon chassis kit. Even on carpet, the carbon chassis is very good especially if it is low to medium grip level carpet. The aluminum chassis has really only been better on high grip black carpet with a very good run in groove. The lower CG and less flex makes the car carry more corner speed. From my experience, the aluminum chassis' make the car harder to get set up on asphalt. The carbon chassis has a much larger window to find a fast and easy to drive setup.

FPMX772