Gotta make me some body armour


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identiti66
identiti66
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Hi all.. sorry if this makes no sense but I'm clueless.

I have a completely knackered elbow and need to immobilise it and then protect it from the rigours of mountain biking.

Have kind of worked out making the mould but laying the carbon fibre (or similar) is way out of my scope.

It needs to be impact and abrasion resistant.

From a quick read, perhaps a few layers of Diolen with Carbon top layers? Help keep the cost sensible.

I'll probably line it with either sheepskin or foam

Is that enough to get started?
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Hanaldo
Hanaldo
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If it doesn't need to be strong along it's circumference then you could use a couple layers of uni-directional carbon fibre, orientated along your A-B line. Possibly even just in strategic areas, such as the elbow bend. That would ensure it's nice and stiff, whilst the kevlar spreads the impact load. Should also remain fairly flexible along it's circumference, depending on how many layers you use and the type of fabric you go with. 



Having thought about it, you should probably use a layup similar to Chris'. One layer of 200gsm carbon fibre, two layers kevlar, 2 layers of uni carbon along the elbow bend, and then one final layer of carbon fibre, also probably a heavier fabric like Chris used, ie. 450gsm. I was probably over-thinking the impact strength of the part initially, 2 layers of kevlar would do well for what you need, and the carbon fibre will prevent any flex. 

What you want to consider though, is will this thing become dangerous in itself in the event of a crash? Ie. if you make it so strong that it will not flex and it will not break, you want to be sure that it is not going to cause you harm that may otherwise have been avoided, for example lacerations from the edges of the part. One possible way to avoid that would be to flare the edges away from your arm ever-so-slightly, would only take a millimeter or two. Or if the foam liner that you mentioned earlier was thick enough, that might do the job too.
Edited 11 Years Ago by Hanaldo
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