Front Bumper Support FYI....

[OneFunGenesis]

Hey guys. I am trying to install this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/C5-C6-Corve...ies&hash=item2c6641741c&vxp=mtr#ht_2185wt_906

So, I had this brilliant idea and fabbed up a stainless plate to weld to the front bumper support. So I cut out the top center rib in the lower black grille. I slid the stainless plate in there. Hooked up the welder and hit it with a tack weld.

Well, it suck to my stainless plate and did NOT stick to the bumper core support. Alright, WTF. Turn up the heat a little, thinking the bumper core didn't see enough heat. Turn it up, burn a small bead. Well, sticks to the stainless plate again...no go on the bumper.

So I do a quick magnet check on the bumper support...non-magnetic. Okay, I'm thinking it's stainless, check my wire rod...its stainless wire. Hmmmm.

Quick hardness test, its hard as a bitch. So I step back. Okay, its not carbon steel...its not stainless steel, its non-ferrous, and it's not weldable.

The only conclusion? Our bumper supports are made of chrome-moly, low carbon steel.

This is just an FYI for anyone who is looking to do something like this.

OneFun

 

[Gunkk]

non-magnetic.

not carbon steel...its not stainless steel, its non-ferrous, and it's not weldable.

The only conclusion?

Aluminum.

 

[Mark_888]

Aluminum.

I don't know specifically about the bumper, but Hyundai used aluminum in many places to reduce weight, especially on the front-end. For example, the hood is aluminum.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Aluminum is weldable...its def not that.

We have come to the conclusion after more talking today that it is probably Magnesium/Manganese because it is lighter than chrome-moly and still extremely tough to weld.

 

[scottdk]

Aluminum is weldable...its def not that.

We have come to the conclusion after more talking today that it is probably Magnesium/Manganese because it is lighter than chrome-moly and still extremely tough to weld.

When I had an accident and the bumper and bumper cover were (and tons more) replaced my body shop said the bumper was aluminum. I would like to believe his knowledge, so I assume he is correct.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Well, I would like to think it would be aluminium as well...but aluminium welds. There are very few metals that don't weld. It narrows it down to two or three.

I would assume he is saying it is aluminium because of its weight. But it's hardness and weld-ability say it isn't aluminium.

Chrome-moly would be heavier than aluminium...but Magnesium would not be much heavier than aluminium...interesting.