I am building a robot for Bots IQ. In doing so i have the option of building the the armor of my robot out of titanium or tool steel.. which would be the better option.Brief description of Bots IQ: It is a competition where 2 15lb robots go and attack each other with spinning blades, hammers or whatever is designed.
Titanium is a significantly stronger and lighter metal, but is also extremely expensive. If you have the option for titanium, go for it.
I would have to say titanium , but in doing so I am having to assume you have access to some very serious machinery.This is because Ti is extremely difficult to work and also work hardens, which could lead to cracking and failure.The other problem is that Ti is also very hard to weld .It seems tool steel is the choice for ease of working and weldability, so unless you can buy the bits you need precut or made then I'd say tool steel,preferably something along the lines of ramax.Your other option is spring steel as this is workable and gets hardened after shaping.
