Have you ever been out on a beautiful day, opened your throttle & as you heard the roar of your engine you wonder hmmm, what are exhaust pipes made of? No? Good, neither has anyone else.
Either way, I’m going to tell you!
Exhaust pipes are made of one of the following materials: stainless steel, mild steel, titanium, and ceramic-coated steel, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Stainless steel is the most common because it resists corrosion and rust. A corrosion resistance exhaust system can be made with aluminized steel. An exhaust manifold and other exhaust materials should be safe and durable for optimal performance. A vehicle’s exhaust system varies depending on the rear bumper, catalytic converter, exhaust piping and other elements. Different exhaust materials like titanium alloys, cast iron and heat sensitive components affect the engine performance. Aftermarket systems have a stock exhaust for different motorcycle models along with great exhaust tips to reduce carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide harmful emissions. Titanium exhausts are highly effective for different vehicles. Exhaust material for corrosion resistance exhaust manifolds is made with carbon fiber.
Motorcycle Exhaust pipes are no different from any other vehicle’s exhaust pipes. However, depending on the make and model of the motorcycle will depend on what type of pipe is used. Let’s break down each exhaust pipe material and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Stainless Steel Exhaust Pipes
Stainless steel is by far the most common material used in exhaust pipes. Different grades of stainless steel will determine what your exhaust pipe needs to be made out of for your vehicle.
The more chromium (Cr) that is in the stainless steel will determine what type of corrosion resistance that the material possesses. The higher grade of chromium makes the more expensive and better-performing metal. Stainless steel is a great choice for exhaust pipes because it is resistant to corrosion and rust, which can prevent leaks or potential fires.
The downside to stainless steel is that it is very easily scratched by any debris on the road, which can create a hole and allow exhaust gases to escape. So, always keep an eye on your bike for any debris that could potentially harm your pipes!
Mild Steel Exhaust Pipes
Mild steel is the most popular choice for motorcycle exhaust pipes because it is strong and relatively cheap compared to other materials. It is also very easily welded to any other material, which enables the manufacturer of your exhaust pipe to have greater flexibility when building it. This means that they can save time and resources by doing things like welding together different grades of stainless steel or multiple types of mild steel into one pipe.
The downside with mild steel is that it rusts easily and can be quite brittle, so it’s not the best material if you’re looking for a long-lasting exhaust pipe.
Titanium Exhaust Pipes
Titanium is a very strong and light metal that is often used in aircraft and other high-end applications. It has a very low thermal expansion coefficient, which means that it doesn’t expand as much as most other metals when heated up.
Titanium is a very expensive metal to buy, which means that you’ll probably only see it used in high-end exhaust systems from manufacturers like Yoshimura or Akrapovic. The reason that most exhaust pipes are made out of mild steel or stainless steel is that they’re much more affordable and they function just as well.
Titanium is also known to age due to the oxidation process, but it doesn’t readily corrode like mild steel. Overall, titanium may be a great option for exhaust pipes if you’re looking for something light and strong, but at this time I typically see it being used on high-end motorcycles only.
Ceramic Coated Steel Exhaust Pipes
Ceramic-coated steel is a material that is becoming more and more popular in the exhaust pipe industry. It is made by coating a mild steel pipe with a ceramic material that can withstand high temperatures without breaking or corroding.
The benefit of ceramic-coated steel is that it can resist corrosion and rust like stainless steel, but it also has the added benefit of being able to withstand high temperatures. This means that if you’re a motorcycle rider who likes to do a lot of track days or drag racing, then a ceramic-coated steel exhaust pipe would be a great option for you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of materials that motorcycle exhaust pipes can be made out of. The most common material used is steel, in some way or another but depending on the manufacturer and what features you’re looking for will determine what material your exhaust pipe needs to be made out of. Keep an eye out for stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic-coated steel pipes if you’re looking to upgrade your exhaust system!
