Aluminum Grinders Explained
Aluminum Grinders and the Term “Aircraft Grade”
Aluminum is what the vast majority of grinders out there are made of. Some grinders are anodized different colors and it can look really sharp and handsome like with Phoenician Grinders Special editions. One advantage of aluminum is the weight relative to the much heavier stainless steel. Mama P’s makes a big aluminum grinder, but it’s actually a fraction of the weight of the stainless steel models, despite being the biggest grinder I tested. So, if you’re on the go and weight is an issue, a good aluminum pocket grinder would be a great fit for the job. One downside of Aluminum Grinders is that Aluminum is a relatively soft grinder metal compared to stainless steel and titanium and it will chip and flake over the years causing some of that garbage to get into your herb grind. You’re not going to like this but, if you own an aluminum grinder like most of us do, you’ve probably smoked some aluminum shards in your lifetime. Eww, that’s a bummer! Like I mentioned before, Aluminum still has a recommended role in the grinder world in the form of pocket grinders that need to be lightweight. If weight is an issue and you need a lightweight grinder for whatever reason, go for Aluminum.
Here’s a breakdown of the different aluminum alloys that are considered “aircraft” grade and are often used in grinder metals
6061 T-6: This alloy is best known for its high corrosion resistance and finish. It is easy to weld and has almost the same strength as mild steel. Grade 6061-T6 is often used to make landing mats for aircraft, truck bodies, and frames as well as structural components. It can be fabricated using the most common techniques which is an excellent property.
7075-T6 The primary role of this aluminum alloy is to strengthen aluminum aircraft structures. The alloy is made from a careful mixture of copper, magnesium, and zinc to give it extra strength. However, because of copper, it is difficult but not impossible to weld. Once anodized, it has a beautiful finish and has the best machinability.
Stainless Steel Grinders Explained
Stainless Steel Grinders and the term “Medical Grade”
Welcome to the future of herb grinding with stainless steel grinders that offers users a major leap in quality over aluminum grinders. Stainless steel grinders are much harder than aluminum grinders and the teeth will stay sharp for many years to come. Additionally, the term “medical grade” refers to stainless steel 304 which most if not all of these stainless steel grinders on the market are made of. This is a really safe metal to be in contact with your precious herb, and I highly recommend that you own at least one stainless steel grinder to use as your daily workhorse. The important thing to remember is that with stainless steel grinders, you don’t have to worry about flakes of aluminum winding up in your grind, because that’s an obvious bummer. I expect to see many new entries into the stainless steel grinder market over the coming months and years because when considering cost, it’s the best value of all the grinder metals. Stainless Steel Grinders provide you with a super safe and durable grinder metal that will stay sharp for your lifetime and the best part is that it won’t cost you a stack to get one, you can get a quality stainless steel grinder for under $100 today, and that’s awesome! check out my reviews of all the stainless steel grinders that made my list of best grinders worldwide and pick the one that you love most.
Titanium Grinders Explained
Titanium & Titanium Alloy Grinders
Titanium Grinders are the very rarest and most expensive (by far) of herb grinder metals used. You definitely get what you pay for with this Titanium though when it’s in the form of a super capable grinder with one of the best designs in the world, such as the Old Mate Design’s Aroma 3 Titanium Model and the German made CAPU Titanium Model.
First of all, you‘re not likely to find a grinder made from PURE titanium, because believe it or not pure titanium isn’t the best suited material for an herb grinder. As is the case with Old Mate’s Aroma 3, the grinder metal used is Grade 5 Titanium which is the most common of the titanium alloys used in manufacturing applications. Here’s some nerd details about Grade 5 Titanium, according to Continental Steel and Tube:
Classified as an alpha-beta alloy, and consists of 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, and trace amounts of iron. There are many reasons why grade 5 is so commonly used, including its exceptional strength—it is much stronger than commercially-pure titanium, but possesses the same stiffness and thermal properties pure titanium is known for. Additionally, it is heat-treatable, making it ideal for many manufacturing applications. The fact that it is easily welded and fabricated, while offering high strength and corrosion resistance, makes it easy to see why it is the most common titanium alloy in the world! It‘s able to withstand a range of environmental factors, including seawater, and can withstand temperatures up to nearly 800°F. Additional advantages include good fatigue resistance, low thermal expansion, high strength-to-weight ratio, and low modulus of elasticity. For these reasons, titanium grade 5 is very often used in offshore and subsea oil and gas applications, and in general within the oil industry. It is also frequently used within the aerospace industry for a range of applications, as well as within the marine industry. Both aerospace and automotive manufacturers count on titanium grade 5 for engine components, and it is widely used in the power generation industry. This titanium alloy is also frequently used within the medical field, particularly for instruments and prosthetics, and even within the human body, in the form of surgical implants.