Titanium vs Aluminum Solvent Traps - Which is Better?

Solvent traps are a great way to reduce clean up time and hassle when cleaning your firearms. But what is the best material to use for your solvent trap? In this blog post, we'll compare titanium and aluminum solvent traps to help you decide which one is right for you.

Cost: The cost of titanium is 5~10 times that of Aluminum.

Regarding the cost of metal fabrication, there are many factors to consider. The type of metal, the thickness of the material, and the complexity of the design all play a role in determining the final price. In general, titanium is more expensive than aluminum. The cost of titanium is 5~10 times that of Aluminum. It's MUCH harder to machine, much harder to forge or to heat treat. This is due to the fact that titanium is a more difficult metal to work with. It is also much heavier than aluminum, which can add to the cost of shipping and handling. However, titanium is also more durable than aluminum, meaning it will last longer and require less maintenance. As a result, titanium may ultimately be the more cost-effective choice for some applications.

Heat Dissipation: Titanium has a much higher heat conductivity than aluminum

The heat produced by the firearm must be dissipated quickly to avoid damaging the barrel or causing difficulties when shooting. Titanium has a much higher heat conductivity than aluminum, meaning that it will dissipate heat much more quickly. This is important because heat buildup can be a major issue when using solvent traps.

Weight: Titanium is approximately 66% heavier than aluminum.

Titanium and aluminum are both relatively light metals. Titanium has a density of about 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter, while aluminum has a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter. This means that, for a given volume, titanium is approximately 66% heavier than aluminum. This weight is being attached to your gun all the way at the end. This is the worst possible place to add weight to your gun, so the lighter your suppressor is, the better.

Corrosion Resistant: Titanum > Aluminum

Over time, gunpowder gases can corrode your gun barrel. This is due to the presence of oxygen in the air reacting with the metal of the barrel. The process is accelerated by the heat generated from firing the gun. Titanium is much more corrosion resistant than aluminum. The reason for titanium's excellent corrosion resistance is that its oxide is extremely difficult to dissolve and strongly bonded to the metal surface, and so the TiO2 layer is highly protective.Aluminum oxide is also protective under normal conditions, but it will dissolve under both strongly acidic and strongly alkaline conditions, and is susceptible to attack by chloride ions.

Yield Strength: Titanum > Aluminum

when a firearm is discharged, the expanding gases exert enormous pressure on the walls of the barrel. This pressure can be as high as 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The yield strength of a material is the stress at which it begins to plastic deformation. In other words, it is the point at which the material will no longer return to its original shape after being subjected to an applied force. The yield strength of titanium and aluminum alloys can vary depending on the exact composition of the metal, but both materials generally have high yield strengths. Titanium alloys typically have yield strengths in the range of 275-550 MPa, while aluminum alloys typically have yield strengths in the range of 100-350 MPa. As a result, both titanium and aluminum are widely used in applications where high strength is required.

Melting point: Titanium has a higher melting point of 1650 – 1670 °C (3000 – 3040 °F)

 A metal’s melting temperature known as the melting point is the temperature at which such metal begins to transit from a solid phase into a liquid phase.

In comparison, titanium has a higher melting point of 1650 – 1670 °C (3000 – 3040 °F) which is why it is used as a refractory metal. On the other hand, aluminum exhibit a lower melting point compared to titanium at 660.37 °C (1220.7 °F). Therefore, in a heat resistance application titanium is more applicable.

Conclusion:

Aluminum Solvent Trap:
Aluminum, Very light and cheap, Stay away from aluminum, unless weight is a huge factor.

Titanium Solvent Trap:
Titanium, very strong, lightweight, harder to machine and paint, increasing cost.