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Scandium is the eighth most abundant rare earth element. It is found in the earth’s crust at 5 parts per million (ppm), but it is very difficult to extract from ore. Prior to the opening of the former Soviet Union in the early 1990’s it was largely unavailable, even though it was discovered in 1879 by Lars Nilson. Scandium is a silvery white metal, numbered 21 on the periodic table, that is a potent grain refiner used in aluminum alloys to elevate strength and durability. 

Scandium alloys were first made commercially available in 1996 by the Ashurst Technology Group. Easton Sports first used Scandium alloys in February 1997, the product was the Redline C-Core bat. Scandium alloys were first used for structural purposes in Soviet aircraft and missiles. In fact, some of the missiles used Scandium alloys for the guiding fins on missiles. The Soviets welded the guide fins onto these missiles, something that Western engineers could not do successfully. Most remarkably, the Soviet missiles were designed for launch from below the polar ice cap. The missiles were capable of piercing the ice cap without damaging these welded on fins. The strength that Scandium alloys brought to weldable alloys allowed Soviet built aircraft to utilize welded structures. This gave these planes tremendous weight, maneuverability, and range advantages. In researching the Scandium alloys, Easton was able to develop a number of uses for this material.

Obviously, welded bike frames could significantly benefit. Though the weight of Scandium alloys is no different than other weldable alloys, the Easton SC7000 alloy is twice as strong as 6061 or 7005 (standard welded frame alloys). Because the strength is so much higher, less material is needed to achieve the desired structural properties. In the end you get a lighter frame. Lighter is good, but durability and ride characteristics are just as important. Because Scandium creates a stronger tube, the weak link in a welded frame becomes the weld. However, using a special Scandium enhanced weld wire solves this problem. In fact, the Scandium weld wire creates an extraordinarily strong weld when combined with SC7000 tubes.

When Easton began developing the SC7000 (Scandium) tubesets, we analyzed all of the benefits of the material in order to make something more than just a super light tubeset. Easton designed a set of tubes that would provide significant benefits to the rider. Some of the benefits are:

    • Ride Quality: Because of the material’s strength, we were able to reduce the diameter of the tubes in specific areas. This design creates compliance within the finished frame. Compliance is what makes a frame ride smoother, be more comfortable, and provide better control on rough surfaces. Too much compliance can create flexibility which robs power from the rider. Easton utilizes various cold working procedures to form the tubes in critical areas. In the end, you get a frame that absorbs shock and vibrations, yet remains stiff in critical areas. No power is lost, and the frame is comfortable enough to ride all day long. In fact, the SC7000 frame has been used by European professional riders in the Giro d’ Italia and the Tour De France. They are astounded by the comfort it provides, and the confidence in descending.

• Light Weight: With the additional strength of the SC7000 material, we were able to push the limits of light weight aluminum alloy tubing. In general, you will see about a 10% reduction in frame weight when compared to our full UltraLite frame. Remember too, that the UltraLite frame is one of the lightest, most durable aluminum frames you can get.

• Durability: While light weight is good, durability is paramount. Because SC7000 material is so strong, and was designed for additional compliance, the durability is excellent. Easton’s fatigue and impact testing shows a remarkable increase in durability over standard frames.

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