heres something to pick your brains....bent my rails today

kanders

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ya im not sure i think these rails are cnc machined who knows about the supplier....

The cut outs are cnc machined but the rails are made from extrusions that are then bent in a curve at the front. I'm curious if they use a mallable alloy like a 6063 and then heat treat afterward or just use a 6061 and heat the front to bend them. No Matter the process, the minimal amount of material that is in the area where they bent is going to make them susceptible to damage under the wrong conditions. The strongest rails would be rails entirely machined from 6061 T6 billet but very pricey. We've anodized a few sets over the years but since the popularity of the Ice Age rails, we don't see them too often anymore. Hope you get warranty on them. Kev
 

Modman

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Well from a metalurgical standpoint with me being a metalurgist, I cant remember the exact temp for aluminum when it gets to its austinitic point (change in metal structure) but when they bake powder coating at 387ishºF range, this is way below the point that affects the material change in aluminum. It would have to been left in the oven at a way higher temp for a hell of a long time to weaken the structure. I've had tons of aluminum stuff done including sportbike wheels which is powdercoating was going to affect them I would never do it (Dont want a motorcycle wheel braking at 200+km) and have never had a problem. I have a buddys thats a powder coater and have never heard of a problem occuring from the bake.

Take some better close up pics at the bend point if you dont mind, from the ones you posted there doesnt seem to be any stresses in the coating at the bend point which makes me thing they were bent during the manufacturing process.

Shoppingcart is right, the powder coating is not likely to have caused a weakness in the rail. Coating only takes a moderate amount of heat to bake, the coater is not going to turn up the heat for any reason, simply because it will cost them more and likely ruin the finish. Any significant heat values that would have caused a change in the crystalline structure of the rails would have burnt the coating right off the aluminum and ruined the coating job, which means the theories that oven was not turned up too high or they were left in there for too long are bogus, because if either of these were true, there would have been nothing left of the coating on those rails or it would have been a very poor finish. Tons of other rails out there that have been PC'd, no issues on them.

Unfortunately, flaw in the alum? As polarblu indicated, look where they bent, right at the skinniest point.
 
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sumx54

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I run Ice Age on two sleds and to date have had no problems, both are 2 riding seasons old - so maybe something has changes in the last couple of years, as suggested, maybe they are now manufactured oversees?

Being on the end of a hook all the time :eek: I can see where you'd have no problems with your rails...hehe
 

muffin

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ran into this years ago , was told that the Process not so much the heat had caused the bending of the rails , they were stock 141 rails that bent, from polaris , didnt learn , and ruined at set of M10 141 rails as well , never had a set of polished rails bend
 

Modman

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ran into this years ago , was told that the Process not so much the heat had caused the bending of the rails , they were stock 141 rails that bent, from polaris , didnt learn , and ruined at set of M10 141 rails as well , never had a set of polished rails bend

static electricity attracting powdered plastic to a rail caused them to bend? Curious to say the least, please provide more info.
 

Murminator

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suck man...,can't see this happening BUT maybe when backing off a sled deck..The rear of the track hits the ground first and alot of weight in the middle when the sled is backing off until the skis touch the ground...Can't see that happening though.


I thought of that also ecept going up sometimes you hit it with a little speed and only the skis and back of the rails are touching all the weight on the middle of the rails can be a lot of stress on a long span




wait until your first BJ..... your list will quickly change...


I heard a lot changed for you after you gave your 1st.....
 

teeroy

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I heard a lot changed for you after you gave your 1st.....
I remember that story, when he ordered 10 tequila shots and the bartender asked what the occaision was....Bogg said he was celebrating his first BJ and the 'tender offered to buy him one more. Bogg said "if 10 won't get the taste out of my mouth, 11 sure as hell won't...."
 

Pistonbroke

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I remember that story, when he ordered 10 tequila shots and the bartender asked what the occaision was....Bogg said he was celebrating his first BJ and the 'tender offered to buy him one more. Bogg said "if 10 won't get the taste out of my mouth, 11 sure as hell won't...."



Holy chit TEE... LMFFAO!!!!!!:alol2::alol2::alol2::alol2:
 

tex78

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hey arn't those po po's tiped up rails.... makes it turn like a 136 but climb like a 174.....
 
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