What aluminium is used in SIG's?

[Whats-his-name]

Our of curiosity's sake, does anyone know what type of aluminium is used in SIG frame's?

I know Kimber use 7075-T7 but getting information on other ali' framed auto's aint easy.

Cheers.

 

[1SOW]

Should be able to get good info here:
For Technical Support: [email protected]
or
For General Information: [email protected]

 

[Whats-his-name]

Thanks 1SOW.

However, I did go down that route but no luck I'm afraid.


Update:
In other words, no answer!

 

[1SOW]

Does that mean the tech guys said they didn't know what the frames were made of????

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Does that mean the tech guys said they didn't know what the frames were made of????

It is quite possible they would not know the specific alloy used.

It is also worth noting that the anodizing on SIG frames adds thickness and an additional degree of hardness to the metal. If you strip it to apply some other kind of finish, it will reduce the dimensions of the frame and make the slide fit very sloppy.

 

[againstthagrane]

german uber metal. it's lighter than a feather and stronger than adamantium.

 

[RON in PA]

Melted beer cans.

 

[denfoote]

It's a proprietary alloy.
Many company's develop their own alloys than have another company make the billets.
Your tech guys probably have signed non discloser agreements.

 

[420Stainless]

RON in PA

Melted beer cans.

Home sick today and thats about the only thing I've smiled at in three days. Thanks for cheering me up.

Whatever it is, between the material and the finish it appears to be quite durable. My 229 has been my truck gun for the last 10 years and still almost looks like new.

 

[aka108]

Seems that almost all mfgrs advertise "aircraft" aluminum. Guess the next part of a question would be aluminum from what part of the AC.

 

[wditto]

they use whatever S&W sends them and don't ask questions

 

[highorder]

I would expect that most aluminum frames are made of 7075.

I believe that is the alloy that Kimber specs in their aluminum frame pistols.

 

[Disaster]

One thing to remember. While aluminum alloys can be very strong for their weight, they can't be designed with infinite fatique life like steel can. That means eventually they will crack....though eventually could be a very, very long time. This is one of the reasons plane wings are constantly inspected for cracks.

 

[Lonestar49]

All in the Load-factor..

One thing to remember. While aluminum alloys can be very strong for their weight, they can't be designed with infinite fatigue life like steel can. That means eventually they will crack....though eventually could be a very, very long time. This is one of the reasons plane wings are constantly inspected for cracks.

...

Actually they inspect the "main spar" that the wings connect to, more to the point. It is the thickest, strongest, piece of milled aluminum in aircraft, and yep, it is inspected, by the amount of, IIRC, either time, or more important, hours on the wings/main spar from the last time it was chked, as mandated by the FFA. (and it is why sitting over the wings in aircraft is usually the safest place due to the strength, afforded, there)

With that in mind, and the amount of load-factors and flex that wings provide, and do, each flight, I'd say Sig's quality, well built, thick, aluminum frames, especially the rails, having little, upward flex, compared to wings connected to the thick aluminum main spars, they should last, with proper care, with a min of +P or +P+ defence ammo, a long, long, time, like planes, main spars, flown properly and guns shot properely.

OMMV,


Ls

 

[Disaster]

...I'd say Sig's quality, well built, thick, aluminum frames, especially the rails, having little, upward flex....should last, with proper care, with a min of +P or +P+ defence ammo, a long, long, time....

But not for infinity...which was my point. ;-)

Having said that, there have been reported cracked frames in high usage Sigs. If I recall, it even happened during the army trials.

During the endurance testing none of the 92Fs broke, while two of the P226s cracked frames between six and seven thousand rounds."]During the endurance testing none of the 92Fs broke, while two of the P226s cracked frames between six and seven thousand rounds.

source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIG_P226

and this source.

I have seen some SIG-Sauer slide rails crack on the frames, but not many. In these cases, SIG-Sauer took care of the replacements at no cost to the owner. Cracked frames in aluminum frame guns is not unheard of regardless of the maker.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Critical Look at SIG Sauer P225.htm

From what I've read, the failures haven't been stoppers...though I think one had feed issues, it did fire. The other cracks caused no malfunctions and were not found in till the guns were cleaned/inspected after the shooting session.

 

[Claude Clay]

melted Australian Fosters steel beer cans


there....i fixed it for you ( always wanted to say that)

 

[Lonestar49]

For some, they will, for others, no way..

But not for infinity...which was my point.

...

Kinda like us, lol but, IF it will last one's lifetime, OMMV, that is all one could ask..

And, unlike the Military, my SIG guns, at least, will not be fired with NATO-Approved + P 9mm, over and over and over, along with, I doubt they keep an active shots-fired round count, as I, and others do, and replace the recoil spring before, and as suggested by SIG, at or before, the 5k round count, to lessen the abrupt impact of the slide, which, when it has stopped, abruptly against the slide stops without benefit of a strong spring (all that force can only go one place, back to the slide, and UP, putting undue stress where it was not meant to be), with proper inspection, replacements, etc.

And only what 40cal S&W comes in.. non +P

I guess my point is, like airplanes wings (which they themselves can, and do, last a lifetime, if not over stressed, along with, many planes main spars, that too, can last one's lifetime, with proper flight procedures, followed, and "required inspections of them".. Ones SIG can do the same..

And one's family could, well, inherit them, and continue usage of them, IF certain procedures are used..

So, my vote is that Sig's aluminum frames will go the distance for some, and not for others, depending on type usage and care.


Ls

Ps.. a thought for ya: When you see the Navy Blue Angels do an air show, year after year after year, in the same F-118's, they look beautiful, like brand new, yet, if you look close at their cockpits, they look OLD, used, cracked, faded, etc., and that is because they are all Used-up fighters that have so many actual combat-flown-hours on them that they are "retired" as NOT combat fit aircraft. Along with many of the trainer aircraft, etc.

Yet what you see them doing is nothing short of speed, + & -G's, fast, abrupt, maneuvers, etc., tightly grouped, and they are "still going, and going, and going.." Good aluminum, like what SIG's uses but, unlike Military pistols, of the same metal, guns do not get the care, military or civil, use-wise, as most aircraft.. And then some do, civil wise, military wise..

 

[SubSolar]

What about the ST Sigs, with stainless steel frames. Will they eventually crack too, or should they last till infinity no matter how many round are shot through them?

 

[Disaster]

Here is a little primer on fatique life.

http://www.epi-eng.com/mechanical_engineering_basics/fatigue_in_metals.htm

A pistol frame isn't highly stressed and the steel, in the frame, probably sees many times less than it's ultimate ultimate strength, in service, so it will effectively have infinite life.

 

[Whats-his-name]

I got a reply from the good chaps at SIG, and as some of us guessed the information on the type of aluminium is proprietary and SIG (presumably in Switzerland) won't supply it.

Ah well, no harm asking.

Cheers.