I got a problem looming on the horizon: I've made some little brass prototype components for a customer, but he's probably going to want a harder material for the production quantities.
Any ideas what to use? I was thinking Germanium or Silicon or something crystalline? but can this material be tapped? I need an M2 X 4mm hole in each and they are about 7mm long and 5mm in diameter.
Oh, and since I'm diamond turning them the material can't contain Carbon (so it can't be stainless steel for example).
Can anyone think of a metal or crystal which is harder than brass and machineable? (oh and not toxic, so Berylium's out).
*scrathes head* dontcha just love customers who design lovely stuff that looks perfect.... on paper.
Me: So what's the material then?
Customer: Erm.. we hadn't thought of that.. something hard?
*sheesh*