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

I now know that carbon fibre itself is basically immune to UV light (unless anyone knows different) but it is the resin itself that is affected by the UV and the normal solution is to coat with UV stable paint or the likes, however what is the best way to treat carbon fibre tow that has not been infused or otherwise with resins to make it waterproof but still flexible ?

Jim