With similar properties to our original 531 steel brand alloy. For cycling, these are mandrel butted for accurate profiles, and are available in a wide range of shapes. Weight savings from butting provide competitively priced, light framesets. The Reynolds “520” range uses the same alloy, made under license for us in Taiwan and subject to the same quality standards.
Reynolds 520 range can be used for sports car chassis, suspension units, motorcycle race frames etc. in welded and fillet-brazed structures.
Why it works:
UTS: 700-900 MPa, density 7.78gm/cc
The same 0.30% carbon steel chemistry as our 725 range but without the heat-treatment process. The strength and ductility can be varied by cold-working and normalizing if required.
How you would use it:
Reynolds 520/525 is the entry point into butted steel tubing.
The 500 series steel is easy to work with – both to cut and mitre, and to shape. It can be manipulated with simpler tools.
The thicker wall sections will produce a frame that although heavier will have exceptional fatigue strength, and be easier to repair if damaged.
The material is ideally suited to bikes where ultimate weight isn’t a priority, but where long-ride comfort, durability, and dependability are important.
Learn More
Click here to download a metal alloys comparison (extract) PDF for designers.