Metal track stability and breakage?

[tao]

I have heard a few stories about tracks sitting for a while then links falling apart and some moving towards plastic tracks because of it? Is it more a matter of a bad batch of metal alloy/zinc perhaps? I would hope most cases of metal track use are fine. So far my tracks are holding up for years..so just wonder what the view on it is?

[Rad_Schuhart]

My Panzer III mato metal tracks are rotten and breaking in bits.

Hope somebody makes aluminium tracks instead of that cheap pot metal.

[tao]

It doesn't seem like most people have that experience with metal tracks??

[tomhugill]

It doesn't seem like most people have that experience with metal tracks??

Is never had issues like this on any of my tanks, I think it's fairly unconmon

[jackalope]

I have logged hundreds if not thousands of scale miles on my Taigen King Tiger and its metal tracks are still perfect. True they did stretch some with age but the tensions took that up no problem. Same with my Taigen Tiger I.

[edpanzer]

Never had a problem

[blimp]

OK , putting my metallurgical head on , the dreaded 'zinc rot' is caused by the break down of the metal crystals , impurities , can leave weak spots , stress ( obviously ) oxidization and even marked changes in temperature all cause the molecules to re-crystallise resulting in microscopic fractures - these effects accumulate over time . The reason the Chinese use it is because it is so plentiful and cheap compared to plastic , which has to be imported and has increased in price dramatically due to demand . I'll get back in my box now B .

[Spartan tracks]

I have 13 tanks 12 of which are running metal wheels and tracks and never had any issues.