Heavy Titanium

[Jon Tara <jtara@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jporath@domain.elided wrote:

> Having purchased more than my fair share of titanium accoutrements
(bikes,
> ski accessories, windsurfing gear, automotive parts, wet suits, etc, et
al,
> ad nauseum, take tums) the thing that struck me most was just how
> stupendously light they all were.

.
.
.

> Then my world is turned upside down by Rob Levinson and UUC Motorwerks
> coming along and offering us the Rob Knob and the following:
> 
> > What we discovered after using the prototypes for a few weeks is that
> >they seemed to improve shift feel.  These knobs are *heavy*, solid
aluminum
> >or titanium, and they seem to do something to make shifting smoother
and
> >lower-effort. 

Actually, you're both right!

In fact, titanium is more dense than aluminum. Approximate values. (I've
thrown in a few other interesting alternatives, as well.) 

 Magnesium         1.8 G/cm3
 Aluminum          2.7 G/cm3
 Titanium          4.5 G/cm3
 Stainless Steel   7.8 G/cm3
 Depleted Uranium 18.9 G/cm3
 Gold             19.3 G/cm3
 Iridium          22.5 G/cm3

The reason titanium is touted for it's light weight is because it has a
superior strength-to-weight ratio. You can use less metal in a titanium
design than in an aluminum one - enoguh so to more than make-up for the
greater density.

Eagerly awaiting the Iridium Rob Knob. :)

- ------------
Jon Tara
95 325is

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