With out stepping on any one's toes, I would like to set the record straight.
You CAN NOT make something stiffer by cutting flutes in it......
If you have 2 rods, of the same material and diameter, and cut flutes in one. The one with flutes WILL Flex more under the same load......
If having flutes made something made it stiffer, boring bars would come with flutes in them...
If you go by weight, such as rifle barrels, the fluted barrel will be stiffer because the material,(weight) removed fluting will allow for a larger diameter barrel to be used and still make the weight limit.
Hal
You CAN NOT make something stiffer by cutting flutes in it......
If you have 2 rods, of the same material and diameter, and cut flutes in one. The one with flutes WILL Flex more under the same load......
If having flutes made something made it stiffer, boring bars would come with flutes in them...
If you go by weight, such as rifle barrels, the fluted barrel will be stiffer because the material,(weight) removed fluting will allow for a larger diameter barrel to be used and still make the weight limit.
Hal