I’m using titanium for a homemade suppressor and I was wondering if somebody could answer this for me… I know titanium is stronger than steel but is it harder?
You are making a homemade suppressor huh?
Steel is category like saying is beef juicier than chicken. Different mixes and heat treats can make different strength steels, but hard super steels will wear slower than titanium - generally. Titanium is strong and light, has some built in give that keeps it from being overly brittle. Super strong steel could be bad as well, as it may be really hard, but therefore brittle. Lastly, I would check the laws prior to making a suppressor at home.
Likewise, the specific titanium alloy being used also makes a huge difference. Comparing “titanium” to “steel” really has so many variables that it’s not really an answerable question.
With the proper form it is legal, to my understanding. Correct me if I am wrong.
Yes, I know of many people applying for a form 1 to construct a suppressor.
Carbon steel, or stainless?
To know, you just need to look at what alloy each is and the hardness should be easily found with google.
Titanium is stronger than aluminum and lighter than steel. It is not lighter than aluminum or stronger than steel. That being said, there is a wide range of titanium alloys for different purposes.
Density and strength are not hardness.
Grade 5 ti is stronger than 4140 and 1008, both tensile and yield strength.
Grade 1 is weaker in both categories than 4140.
OP needs to provide specific alloys for both for comparison as it’s there is a huge amount of overlap. We don’t even know if we’re talking carbon or stainless.
Yes, Without knowing the specific alloys it’s pointless to argue.
Which brings me to a Q, is any company making suppressors using titanium?
Here are 2:
Thunder Beast
Templar Tactical
If you want a can for multiple mag dumps, in general you stay away from titanium.
The new sig line of suppressors has a portion made from Titanium or better said a version in each caliber. I just bought the SRD762TI rated full auto for 300 Win Mag, so should be fine for my puny 300 Blk and .223/5.56 uses. As this is my first supressor, can’t speak to specific materials, but if the folks from AAC who moved to Sig are using it for their line of suppressors, it would seem they are good to go. YMMV
I feel like, without some extensive and directed education on your part about suppressor design and metallurgy, that this experiment is going to end in tears. I am not trying to come across as elitist, but I do know my own limitations, and they stop well short of attempting what you’re suggesting. Why tackle titanium machining without some serious engineering background? What is your purpose in doing so? You can pick up a Gemtech Trek for $295 new on Gunbroker most weeks if you just want a simple threaded can that works.
Any further information on what grade of TI your thinking about using? With that said the best information on it would probably be on silencer forum home built section. Not to direct away from M4 but members there are worldwide that are putting out some neat stuff suppressor wise. Plus quite a few from here.
Form 1, $200.00, $50.00 + materials, built it myself… priceless. It’s not rocket science but it can be.
Working with titanium is not for the novice. It’s particular properties make it somewhat difficult to machine accurately and consistently. In general your cut speed must be slow, you have to keep the part as cool as possible and you have to know how to account for the rebound effect due to the elasticity of titanium. You also have to account for the machining induced work hardening that occurs in titanium that can cause brittleness, a property you don’t want in something that has to contain quick pulses of gas pressure.
I’d suggest sticking to mild steel to start with or at most a easily machined grade of stainless, either with appropriate heat treatment of the parts.
Gemtech has quite a few titanium suppressors.
Titanium is a difficult material to work with and i wouldn’t recommend it unless you have experience with it. If you are doing it just for a fun project go for it but if youre looking to build one yourself to save money i would just recommend buying one.
This.
Also, no offense OP, but if you are arbitrarily asking which is “harder” steel or Ti with no mention of alloys or treatments, you probably do not have the technical knowledge necessary to successfully turn a chunk of Ti into a can. I will echo what nova3930 said, cutting Ti is not an easy task even for an experienced machinist. You need to have a very good understanding of speeds and feeds, as well as the appropriate tools/machine/cutting oil/etc. Not to mention the cost of titanium. It’s really not a material to learn and make mistakes with.
Just a suggestion, but if you are really bent on making your own can on a Form 1 why not start out with a .22 can made out of aluminum? 6061 T6 is cheap and plentiful, and cutting aluminum is worlds easier and more forgiving for a newbie machinist. This way you can “learn the ropes” so to speak before you drop major coin on a big hunk of Ti.
Not to mention how easily it will gaul. As hard as titanium can be, try polishing it. It behaves like clay.
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