High polishability

T

Temper

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
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Hi, I'm looking for a light metal (prob alu, but may consider Ti) that I can polish to a mirror finish. Does anyone know of the best metal for this?

Edited to add: Oh yeah it must be pretty resistant to wear too, as the polishing is directly related to performance.
 
Sounds like you are looking for a metal that polishes to a mirror finish for just that purpose; a mirror finish. You might narrow it down by defining other requirements of the metal, such as strength, etc.. Other than that I don't know myself.

RL
 
Roger is right. What's it for? I'd say aluminum, maybe 6061 or 7075, treated to a T6. That's the best I could suggest with the available info. Taking "light" into consideration. Consider hard coat anodizing as well.

Hmm. For polish and abrasion resistance alone, I'd say carbide.
 
Probably way off the mark but my first thought was do you want to make something like a telescope?
 
he he :) we could play 20 questions with this but I don't want to tip my hand ;)


Strength is of small concern regarding the requirements as it will be more than strong enough. I need a material that will will be easy to bore then polish like a mirror (Lathe). The only criteria is how well it will polish and that its light.

Brass would be the perfect choice if it wasnt so heavy and prone to tarnish.

I had 6061 in mind but wanted suggestions for another material if it is easily obtained

Thanks for the replies so far
 
With that much said, and nothing else to go by, 6061 would be my choice. I will now bow out.

RL
 
Plastic and have it vapour deposited with the metal of your choice ! LOL Other than that 6061.
 
One way that the plastic molding industry gets around the wear factor/mirror finish problem on aluminum blow molds is to coat with TiAlN. Hard surface over very smooth mirror finish on soft easily machined and polished substrate.

Coating is a purplish black however....won't stand up to physical abuse however because of the soft substrate.
 
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