[valor1]

I'm not sure if this is where I am supposed to ask this. Just curious, what kind of steel do they use on suppressors? How long is their expected life on the 9mm? I believe the 9mm and .22lrs are the usual calibers being used. Some say that they use T6 aluminum and some use 4140 steel. Thanks.

[trueblue1776]

T6 aluminum is a hardness rating, not a specific type. I am in the market for a suppressor also, there is a unit that has the threaded area made from steel and the body made from aluminum.

Try this site:
http://www.silencertests.com/

I don't think they really wear out under normal use. Threads break though.

[ogree]

Most cans are made out of T6 aluminum (usually for pistol calibers) and 300 series stainless steels (for rifle) these days. This eliminates the concern (mostly) with corrosion from the elements which is handy as a great number of manufacturers are manufacturing their cans in a way that prevent them from being dis-assembled for cleaning. Manufacturing the innards out of ferrous material would be less than wise due to the fact of the heat and pressure of normal use would accelerate rusting of chrome-moly steels.
Hope this helps.

[Riss]

Have used regular ? cold rolled seamless tubing for supp tubes. Innards usually made from SS but also 1045 ? steel and parkerized it. Titanium can also be used but gets expensive if the diameter of the Supp tube gets large. Most important part it to get the first baffle, the blast baffle that gets most of the impact and gasses to be thicker and made of SS. Will take more abuse and last longer if made of SS. Do not forget that many of the older models actually used formed flat washers for the innards. The MAC, DeLisle and others used them. Not quite as effective but they do work. Cheap and easy to replace when you get a baffle strike because the can started to unscrew.

[valor1]

Thanks guys for the inputs. I was just wondering on the durability of the modern suppressors. How much rounds will they take if for example installed on a 9mm pistol? The inner tube is usually steel with the outer tube using aluminum for a lighter weight.

[Southern Raider]

A suppressor serves as a heat transfer element. You don't want to use steel; you want to use aluminum for the higher thermal conductivity. Obviously, certain elements within the can might be made of something else for durability issues.

[Riss]

Outer tube I use is steel. Alum could be used. Spacers to space out the baffles are thinner Alum. Baffles of steel or SS. Assuming made properly, never damaged from a baffle strike, dropped, etc. You could expect it to last thousands of rounds. Main wear points are the interface where the pistol threads on and the first baffle that gets the blast from the gun. It will erode over time from the hot powder and gasses. Less prevalent in a pistol, as compared to a rifle but still a small factor. Most wear on a pistol can would most likely come from handling it and putting it on and taking it off the pistol.

[valor1]

Are there suppressors made purely out of aluminum except of course for the baffles and other things they install inside the pipe.

[brentn]

Its hard to say how long they will last. They are illegal where I live so I am unsure of the exact materials used.

I can tell you that the metal parts such as the can and baffles inside should last a lifetime, its the parts inbetween that may not. For example if it uses whipes these are designed for a few shots, and I do mean a few before you replace the whipe. Some have sound deadening materials inside such as steel whool or other things, I doubt whool but it was an example I suppose.
If its a wet system, which as I've seen on videos are the most sound suppressent, they need to be filled with a fluid (whichever the manual suggests) very often.

I've always wanted to make my own, I have a couple books on sound suppression and home made silencers, but I have never put it in practicality cause if anyone found out it would be off to jail for sure.
Considering where I live they are more concerned about barrel length, I think suppressors should be legal, they increase barrel length and are harder to 'conceal'. Would be great for the range or outdoor shooting.

thats a whole nother story though..

[Zak Smith]

Aluminum is a no-go for centerfire rifle suppressors.

[valor1]

Thanks for the input guys. Just got to think on the durability of suppressors in the market like gemtech, etc. Am not really familiar just got to be curious on the materials used.