Since 2005, most manufacturers of quad, motocross and SSV frame protectors have been offering them in PHD, in addition to their aluminum range.
There are several types of protection for a quad or SSV:
- Front lower wishbone protection
- Chassis or central sole protectors
- Rear lower wishbone protection
- mudguards
- Rear arm protectors
- Footboard protectors
- Rear chain/disc protection: rear shoe
But which to choose? PHD, a revolutionary new material, or tried-and-tested aluminum?
We'll try to answer this question objectively, but we have to tell you that we clearly prefer PHD!
What is PHD?
PHD high-density polyethylene (PE-HD)2 is a polyethylene synthesized in 1953 by German chemist and Nobel Prize winner Karl Ziegler.
It has a maximum operating temperature of 105°C and an embrittlement temperature of -50°C! So no problem for us mountain bikers!
unless you're off to Antarctica ... which is possible, as this picture shows:
So in these conditions, go for aluminum! you never know ...
We also know that PHD is microwave-compatible (of little importance for our purposes)
PHD has good flexibility and excellent resistance to acids, aliphatic alcohols, aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
It is very light: 0.9g/cm3
Standard PHD is recyclable, and can be regenerated and recycled in pellet form.
Basically, PHD is used to produce :
- pipes
- high-strength plastic crates
- canoes and kayaks
- detergent packaging
- motor oil cans
- milk bottles
- soft drink caps
- tubes for transporting gas, water, etc.
It can be used in a variety of thicknesses, including 8mm for the chassis protection of the RZR 1000 TURBO.
PHD 300
It cannot be machined; it can simply be cut using a jigsaw with a metal blade, for example.
This type of PHD can also be used for impact protection.
Thanks to its great versatility, PHD 300 is now used to protect our quads, motocross, ssv ...
For example, you'll find our XRW range of chassis protectors.
What is aluminium?
Aluminum is a chemical element belonging to the family of poor metals.
The simple body of aluminum is a light, malleable, silvery metal, not easily altered by air and not very dense.
It's the most abundant metal in the earth's crust!
Its lightness (2.7g/cm3), corrosion resistance, versatile shaping and long-lasting coloring make it an important and widely-used material in industry and crafts.
Despite the technical nature of its application, it can be found in many sectors, such as :
- transport (cars, planes, trucks, trains, boats, bicycles, etc.)
- packaging (tin cans, aluminum foil, cans, trays, aerosols, etc.), especially food packaging;
- construction (windows, doors, gutters, etc.);
- consumer goods (appliances, kitchen utensils, mirrors, etc.);
- electrical cables.
Aluminum is easy to recycle! Virtually infinitely recyclable without losing any of its qualities!
LEAGUE 5754 ALLOY:
The aluminum used in our environment is in fact an aluminum alloy called ligue 5754, generally used in sheet metal and boiler making.
It's actually made up of 7 elements like iron, silicon or copper... its chemical name is AlMg3 (AG3M)
T5 ALUMINIUM TREATMENT:
It's important to note that the aluminum protectors we offer, such as the chassis protector for the RZR 1000 TURBO for example, have received a heat treatment called: T5 TREATMENT, which makes them much harder and more resistant than their original form!
For quads, ssvs and motocross bikes, it is used in thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 10mm.
PHD VS ALUMINUM
These are the advantages and strengths of the 2 materials:
PHD is light, almost 3 times lighter than aluminum (0.9g/cm3 vs. 2.7g/cm3 for aluminum), so you save weight by choosing PHD!
If you save weight, you also save power, as the ratio of vehicle weight to engine power increases!
PHD is easy to handle when mounting on the vehicle, because it's lightweight.
It deforms under the pressure of an obstacle and then returns to its original shape.
Of course, it scratches, but that's to be expected. Aluminum, on the other hand, can be deformed by a heavy impact, without returning to its initial shape! This will cause parasitic vibrations in the chassis, in addition to the scrap metal noises that clatter each time the aluminum protection comes into contact with the part to which it is attached.
On a large pebble (a rock, for example), the PHD protection will slip because it's so smooth. The aluminum guard may have become a little rough over time, and may snag on this type of obstacle.
In most cases, PHD rear shoes (chain and disc protectors) include a chain guide! so your chain stays in line. This is not the case with aluminum rear shoes, which only offer a simple chain runner.
The financial argument: PHD is less expensive than aluminum!
WHAT WE OFFER:
Tonnycat has been the exclusive importer of XRW RACING products since 2006! This specialist manufacturer of protections for quads and SSVs offers a very wide range for sport quads such as the YAMAHA YFZ-R 450 and YAMAHA YFZ 450, as well as utility and off-road quads such as the CAN-AM Outlander.
XRW also offers products for all SSVs, such as the CAN-AM Maverick X3.
We invite you to take a look at the XRW product range at :
We also offer the AXP brand, mainly for QUAD. You'll find engine blocks / wishbone protectors for YFZ-R, 700 Raptor, etc... AXP PHD protectors are available in black, blue or red!
Engine cover 700 RAPTOR blue / Engine cover 700 RAPTOR red
