By Airship-Jim - 8/28/2013 2:20:37 PM
Hi All.
I have recently ordered one of each 50"x36" sized sheets of Spectra ballistic grade 1000 sheet and Spectra/Carbon Fibre hybrid sheet to carry out some testing with to see how practical it will be in my airship project.
Now my intention is to hopefully be able to use the Spectra as the outer shell of the airship that will go over the rigid framework, however although it will be suitable when not infused with resin I would like to be able to infuse it to create a more solid and smoother outer shell at least for the gondola. There are a number of reasons for wanting to do this; a smooth outer surface would significantly reduce any drag on the airship as it moves through the air because of its large surface area, also there will always be the ever present risk that someone may want to take a pot-shot at it with something like an air rifle for example (this has happened on an earlier test balloon) so the Spectra would be more than enough to protect the internal gas bag and components.
So I would like to ask if anyone has had any hands-on practical experience either infusing Spectra with resin and even attempting to laminate more than one sheet of it together ? Also I should note that because of it final use it will still need to be a UV stable end product so the use of vinylester and polyester resins will probably be essential unless anyone can point out anything different ?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, and any trials carried out will be videoed or photographed and posted on here for all to see if they too are interested.
Jim
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By Warren (Staff) - 9/12/2013 11:51:13 AM
If we are talking about only 4 tows intertwined, then with any resin system it will still be flexible to go around reasonable diameter curves due to the simple fact you have such a small amount of material.
If UV resistance is such a high priority then perhaps a UV stable polyester might be better. Polyesters are weaker and less stiff than epoxies in most cases, but as a bonding and waterproofing resin it would be fine, and the less stiffness means more flexibility which is what you want.
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