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ALPS™ & FORECAST®
COMPONENT & MATERIAL GUIDE

Corrosion Testing Process

ASTM-B117
worldwide standard for corrosion testing. Parts are placed in a chamber and subjected to a fog spray of salt until corrosion appears. This environment is actually much harsher than the real world. Forecast® SS304 results: We run tests for an average of 20 days which would equate to 60 eight-hour fishing trips without washing your guides. Our guides handle this with ease.

ALPS™SS316 (S-6) Results
We run tests for an average of 50 days which would equate to 150 eight-hour fishing trips without washing your guides.

 
Guide Frame Substrates

 
FORECAST® SS304 Stainless Steel
Forecast® SS304 Stainless Steel High grade stainless steel used in many of our guide frames. Exhibits superb resistance to corrosion and is very workable in the stamping process used to form guide frames. It tumbles well and is smooth enough to allow excellent plating adhesion		 Brass
We use marine grade brass for our heavy-duty “SU” style boat rod guide frames. It is very workable for this heavy-duty frame design and is very easy to plate.
   
ALPS™ SS316 Stainless Steel
After carefully adjusting the amounts of carbon and molybdenum used in our custom SS316 substrate, we feel that we have created the perfect SS316 Stainless steel to make fishing rod guides. The exact amounts are proprietary, but they simply test superb and resist corrosion better than just about any other substrate.		 SS316 Wire
Used exclusively in our “X” series fly rod guides. Same performance as our other SS316 only in a wire form for unparalleled corrosion resistance in fly rod guides and tops.
   
Guide Frame Platings  
TC
A PVD coating used on many ALPS guide frames. The same as PVD TiCh only without chrome underneath. Adds hardness and corrosion resistance to guide substrates. Great for salt water applications, it is a beautiful gun smoke color.		 Hard Chrome
This plating is a industry standard that offers good resistance to corrosion and overall durability.
   
PVD TiCh
A PVD coating used on guide frames for freshwater use. It adds hardness and makes a beautiful jewelry-like finish. Popular on fly rod stripper guides and bass rods. Not recommended for saltwater applications.		 Polished Forecast® 304 Stainless Steel
Simply polish high grade stainless steel and you have a very serviceable guide frame. Recommended for fresh water applications.
   
Black Chrome (D.B.C.)
All Forecast black guides feature our D.B.C. plating process. A double plating process that forms a custom black under plate, then a durable black hard chrome over plating for superb corrosion resistance		 Polished ALPS™ 316 Stainless Steel
Our polished SS316 frames are made from a higher grade stainless that polishes up nicely and offers superb corrosion resistance. Highly recommended for saltwater applications.
 
 

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