| 02/23/2001 | Ibis develops an aluminum made softail frameUntil now, there were three materials that were considered as suitable for building softail frames. They were steel, titanium and carbon fiber.
A softail needs to be made of a very elastic material and aluminum is not. Every material has a elastic limit. This is the maximum strength it can be subjected to infinite times suffering an instant deformation, the way when that strenght ceases the piece turns back to its primitive shape. When a metal is subjected to a strenght bigger than its elastic limit it enters what is called plastic zone. This means it will not turn back to its original shape, suffering a constant deformation. Also, a material accumulates fatigue every time it is subjected to a strenght that takes it over its elastic limit. So, after some deformations, it breaks.
That is why aluminum, that has a low elastic limit was not used in hardtails. Until now, because Ibis has developed a softail frame made of this material.
Ibis is one of the most experienced companies in the softail field. This, in joint with the recent developing of new aluminum alloys with exceptional mechanical characteristics, such as those based in scandium, has allowed this company to create this frame.
We hope to see it on the trails soon!
More info at www.ibiscycles.com
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