Had some custom rods built under the impression that the guides used were silicone carbide. Looking at the guides, the ring material is made of hard aluminum oxide, if memory serves me well. Will this material be able to handle using wire line through them?

It will unless it doesn't.

Try it and see how they hold up.

If they are silicon nitride they will and in fact, were designed for wire. If it is simply aluminum oxide, they may not.

I would suggest contacted the manufacturer of the guides and asking. They'll know.

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Ya, I'll have to send the manufacturer/supplier an email about it. Just unhappy about the revelation bc I specifically asked for sic guides

Alps uses zirconium as the insert material, not SIC. If you actually ordered the Turbos, then the insert is al. ox. If the guides are Alps recessed rings then you may have zirc. Can't get SIC from Alps.

Grant, the receipt says alps turbo. I did look it up a couple nights ago and it did say hard aluminum oxide as the insert material as you mentioned, just not sure of how it compares to sic hardness, as the rods will be used with wire.

[alpsforecast.com]

[alpsforecast.com]

When the hardness of zirconium guide ring is compared to a silicon carbide guide ring it is somewhat less.

So, if after using the rod for 20 years, you begin to notice a little grooving with wire line you can always have a guide replaced with the current identical guide or replaced with a silicone carbide guide or guides.

Best wishes

I'm not to sure about the wire and aluminum oxide. Your best bet is to drop Batson's an email and ask. I know the office is closed but Bill is still working from home.

Did you tell the builder wire was to be used? If so he should have used the proper rings, sic or otherwise.