12 replies to this topic

[Mike Permanian]

​Is there any difference in performance between Tin and Copper braids?

Thanks

Mike

[Paul Menkens]

I think the tinned braid is copper under the tin plating, just like the track braid is. Tinned braid will hold up better but at the cost of wearing out the track braid quicker because it's more abrasive, one raceway l raced at banned it's use for that reason

[MSwiss]

I don't think you get any appreciable wear on the track  braid, from braid on braid, abrasion. 

 

Here's the braid on the straightaway of my King, installed in 2005.

 

 

Below is with a new piece of braid laying on top.

A finer weave on the new braid, but I'm just not seeing much wear on the 18 year old straightaway braid.

 

You can see spots from the tinning isn't even worn off.

[Paul Menkens]

Those pictures prove the point, don't know where Andy came up with that  but he was wrong. And so was l.

[Bill from NH]

I always thought track braid took a "set" depending upon the direction cars ran on it. And if you ran in the opposite direction a lot, the braid surface got extra wear & tear. Braid is made in all sorts if different thicknesses, maybe it depends on the size of the wire used to manufacture the braid. I thought braid was tinned to alleviate corrosion.

[Phil Hackett]

The tin plating is *maybe* .0001 thick (100 millionths of an inch or about 2.4-2.5 microns). Tin is expensive and is only plated enough to protect the substrate...

[Paul Menkens]

slightly off topic, but does scrap track braid have any value as scrap metal?

[zipper]

slightly off topic, but does scrap track braid have any value as scrap metal?

 Copper perhaps $2 /lb ??

[Bill from NH]

Copper pipe & wiring are scrapped for the copper, why not old braid too.

[Paul Menkens]

l have a large track's worth, but when l call the local scrap  buyers they have no idea what l'm talking about

[MSwiss]

Tell them it's same stuff grounding straps are sometimes made of, and  explain if it's the case, that it has contact cement on it.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I got enough for my old braid the last 2 times we rebraided that it was definetly worth the trouble.


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[Phil Hackett]

slightly off topic, but does scrap track braid have any value as scrap metal?

 

YES. The contact cement isn't a big concern for the scrap buyers unless there's chunks of wood attached. It would be nice if it were "clean" but they're used to buying cables and wires with insulation. The big concern of the scrap buyers is they're not paying for the non-copper insulation and anything else that dilutes the copper's weight.

 

The commodities market has copper about $3.70/pound. Remember that when you sell the metal (you should be getting about 1/2 of that *minimum*)