Metal Matrix Composite
In the late sixties, the government gave UCLA research labs a grant to develop a material that would replace aluminum. The material needed to be stiffer and stronger than aluminum, lighter than aluminum with no fatigue life. To achieve these results they developed a material - boron carbide ceramic metal matrix. They used boron carbide, the hardest known material next to a diamond. When boron carbide is mixed with aluminum it significantly strengthens and stiffens the aluminum. They also developed a process to make this new material. The process yielded a mechanical bond vs. a chemical bond, which is most commonly used. They mechanically combined aluminum, boron carbide, titanium, nickel zinc and copper. They reduced all elements to a 4 micron dust and then mixed them in a jet mill. This provided a homogeneous mixture of all the elements. They then compressed this mixture using a cold isostatic press to form a powder billet. They made various components from the billet, e.g., seats for the Apache helicopter. Griffen takes the billet and extrudes it to make tubing.
Because of the powder metallurgy process, the material has inherent microscopic pores, which is absorbent to vibration. This results in a smoother ride. Also, because we use more material by volume as our competition (our material is one half the weight of normal aluminum by volume), we achieve better comfort, lateral stiffness and power transmission all at the same time. We do all this and achieve a frame weight of about 3 pounds, depending on size and frame style.
About Aerodynamics
An aeronautical engineer from a large government contracting company, using a computer simulated wind tunnel test designed our tubing. This model showed that the best dimensions for overall aerodynamics at 25 - 30 mph is 3.5 to 1(cross section is 3.5 times longer than it is wide). Griffen aero frames have this dimension, the competition does not. Measure it for yourself and see. It may look the same but it is not.
We build our seat tube cut outs to fit the tire as close as possible and still leave some room for different tire size clearance, i.e., training vs. racing tires. We believe using vertical dropouts provides a better rear wheel alignment position vs. the competition who use horizontal dropouts and cannot guarantee a true aligned position. Obviously if it is not aligned it can create some drag.
Griffen MMC tubing is half the weight of Al by volume · Griffen MMC tubing is far stronger than Al · Griffen MMC tubing is stiffer than Al - better sprint and power transmission · Griffen MMC tubing provides a smoother ride than Al · Griffen MMC tubing has no fatigue life (due to powder metallurgy process)
Do you want your mother's plain ol' aluminum or the new advanced MMC by Griffen? You decide.
Tubing Process
Griffen tubing begins as boric acid. Boric acid is mixed with graphite (referred to as coke) in a massive, spinning, electric arc furnace which can reach temperatures as high as 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit, a little hotter than your average sunspot. The centrifugal force pushes the molten material up the walls of the furnace. Electricity is then pumped in, creating an arc across the container and transforming the material into Boron Carbide and carbon monoxide.
The Boron Carbide (the third hardest material known) is broken down into particles five microns in size. The Boron Carbide is then treated to enhance its mixing properties with the 6092 Aluminum powders.
Molten 6092 Aluminum is atomized by pouring it through high-pressure water jets. The result is an instantaneously solidified, extremely fine and uniform aluminum powder.
Molten 6092 Aluminum powder particles are then dried, screened for size (five microns or less), weighed and blended with the Boron Carbide particles to prepare them for use.
Aluminum, Boron Carbide, nickel, zinc and titanium particles are blended in a Jet Mill to homogeneously distribute the reinforcement particles with the aluminum.
The powder is then poured into flexible elastomer molds and evacuated to remove any air from the mold cavity (degassing it to remove the absorbed moisture is an important process step).
The molds are subjected to 1,000,000 psi of pressure in a cold isostatic press (five feet high and five feet wide), transforming the powder into a solid billet.
The billet is sintered to virtually full density in a vacuum furnace, creating a billet that is in an annealed, heat-treated condition.
The billet is then extruded into various size and shape tubes for Griffen framesets.
After welding, the frames are inspected for defects in welding. The frames are then prepped for solution heat treating. The solution heat treat process is an extremely proprietary process that stress relieves the frame and weld areas.
The frames are returned from the solution treated process frozen to delay hardening and enabling us time to straighten the frames. Straightening is performed on a 6,000-pound surface plate.
The frames are artificially aged to bring the material to its ultimate strength.
Before painting is initiated, the frames are acid etched to enable better adhesion of the paint to the tubing.
The frames are sprayed with an aerospace paint primer and micro-adhesion paint. The decals are applied after which a heavy clear coat is applied for a superior frame finish.
After painting, all frames are re-inspected for alignment on the surface plate. Then the frames are faced and chased and the seat tube is honed for a proper match to our specially sized (28.6) seat post. Griffen delivers a fully prepped frame that is easy for dealers to assemble.
The frames are bubble-wrapped and packaged. Frames are packaged with a seat tube collar clamp, water bottle bolts and extra long stainless bolt for the front derailleur clamp (not always required) and is then shipped to our dealers.
Made from Boron Carbide, reinforced 6092 aluminum Metal Matrix.
Made in USA from 100 percent US-produced materials.
Race proven geometry is used for all styles of frames.
Modulus of elasticity is 14.3 million psi; 4.2 million psi greater that 6061 or 7000 series aluminum.
Thirty-eight percent stronger than aluminum alloys.
Forty percent lighter than titanium alloys, by volume.
Stiffer than titanium alloys.
Fatigue life hundreds of times greater that aluminum alloys.
COMFORT of Titanium, STRENGTH of steel and STIFFNESS of aluminum.
Metal Matrix powder metallurgy provides best balance vibration absorbing ride.
Won't flex in sprint or climbs.
Griffen frames are inspected five times to assure the highest level of quality.
Griffen frames available in wind tunnel-tested, aerodynamic styles.
Griffen frames available with complete kits.
Griffen frames can be custom made to suit your individual needs.