Metal vs Metal - snaps vs domes - what alloys are they?

[soreliprick]

Gordon should know this one. I know that Ferree makes their own brand of plastic convex resonators out of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
Any idea what the metal is?b

[Gordon (NZ)]

Yes "ABS" plastic.
The metal ones I bought from Ferrees in 1988 are well attracted by a magnet, so I presume they are nickel plated steel.

A bit disappointing when it would cost so little more to make them from stainless steel, or even 'nickel-silver'.

Rust is an issue. It is common for current-model, French Selmers to get rust around the resonators where they contact the pads, possibly aided by some residual (tanning?) chemical in the leather. This, I am sure, will cause premature splitting of the pads around the resonators.

[Gary Markham]

If you are concerned about rust developing on your resonators, then it would be better to make them from monel verses stainless steel. I am not sure what the cost difference here would be.