3

I need help with identify what materials is this frame

enter image description here

enter image description here enter image description here

I need to know if this is indeed aluminium? (weight 1.2 kg for 15 inch frame hybrid, is not ferromagnetic). If it is, why would it have a few green/white rust, especially at the weldings/joints?

What is the material that has yellow/bronze color outside the frame? Is it a primer? Or anodized?

I would really appreciate your help and knowledge on this matter. I would really want to paint it, but I have no idea which primer I need for this frame (aluminium or anodized...)

Disclaimer:From other question/answer (I did have a look) I guess it is aluminium, but then the rust and the color does not match Aluminium characteristics and therefore, I would like to ask.

Improve this question
7
  • Can you include the pics in the post? They aren't loading for me, but sometimes you get white stuff when you TIG weld aluminum wrong.
    – Batman
    Jul 1, 2015 at 1:43
  • Yeah, the photos don't appear.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Jul 1, 2015 at 2:00
  • Looks like aluminium (could be titanium) with a outer layer of some alloy - Was thinking the green looks copper as does the frame colour, so outer is possibly an aluminium or titanium alloy. What is the value of the frame?
    – mattnz
    Jul 1, 2015 at 3:51
  • Just added pictures
    – Nhân Lê
    Jul 1, 2015 at 7:51
  • possible duplicate of Knowing what bicycle frame material I have
    – DWGKNZ
    Jul 1, 2015 at 10:18

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

At that weight it is 99% Aluminum. This is also backed up by the sizing of the tubes, as Aluminum has a much lower density. At the sizing and thickness of the tubing for it to be Ti/Steel it would be a considerable amount heavier.

The uniformity and consistency of the yellow/bronze would lead me to think that this is most likely anodized.

Improve this answer
6
  • 1
    Anodized Al. Just clean it as paint will not stick well to anodized surfaces.
    – Carel
    Jul 1, 2015 at 10:33
  • Yeah, the color looks to be a stain added during the anodizing process.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Jul 1, 2015 at 11:11
  • I think so, but then it has some little rusting all over it... and it baffles me because I always believe anodized aluminium is the best rust-resistant material.
    – Nhân Lê
    Jul 1, 2015 at 13:16
  • 3
    @NhânLê it may be corrosion, not rust. Salt can corrode aluminum.
    – Rider_X
    Jul 1, 2015 at 14:31
  • @NhânLê - "Rust" is (by most definitions) an oxide of iron, has a red/brown color, and is only possible with iron-containing alloys. I'm not seeing anything that looks like rust in the pictures. Corrosion can occur with most metals (anodizing is actually a form of controlled corrosion), but all I see of that (aside from the anodizing proper) is some "blotchiness" on the anodized surface, which is fairly normal, plus the speckling near the bottom of the seat tube, which is also reasonably normal.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Jul 1, 2015 at 18:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.