Hi Warren.

True, there are no restrictions that I know of for the materials used in normal construction of RC craft, but it is cool to push the envelope for the use of newly available materials. Hopefully I can find out the advantages and disadvantages of using Spectra and Spectra/CF hybrid materials in both infusion and lamination because I cannot find any info on its uses like this over the web. I will be posting up my findings here on the forum and also include video and photos where applicable that should go some way to helping others.

Maybe the best way to deter CHAV's is to paint it up as the Death Star ... after all Star Wars is real, right ? ... lol

Jim

Jim i was thinking more along the lines of sail makers 

Using scrim could be a way forward to strengthening the Spectra and creating the outer shell to the airship, another method I have been thinking of is using carbon fibre tow and weaving a netting mesh by hand and treating that with resin and pressing the Spectra onto it over a shaped form. This would reduce the need for so much resin and maintain the lightness I am looking for and at the same time support the Spectra to maintain the curvature of the sphere in all directions.

I love you two guys' sense of humor, and your methods for dealing with chavs. An airship that can defend itself would be a real asset, and as a signal relay station transmitting its images as live feed to boots on the ground would allow for a more direct approach to a hostile take down !!! ... lol.


Jim

Ive got that gas mask and helmet at home from my Forces days LOL.

CHAVs are the epitome of everything that is wrong in this country hence thier universal hatred by everyone who has some moral fibre.  If you didnt laugh and joke about it then youd probably get upset and end up in prison for a vigilante extermination campaign!!

A net of carbon tow would certainly be light weight. As said youd need a "former" you can release coat and make the net on. That way it would come out the right shape.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

Hi warren,

PASGT Kevlar helmet, S10 gas mask with fitted polarised ballistic lenses, we would make a great team looking smart in the same get-up ... lol.

I would like to ask about the carbon tow, what is the length for each of the 3k,6k and 12k full (1kg, 2kg and 4.25kg)spools ? I need this info to carry out some calculations for the netting concept.

Jim

nah mines not a poxy yank PASGT.  Genuine brit issue AC100 series ballistic nylon helmet.  Also no poxy s10 here, but a genuine SF10..........  it's all in the details!!

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

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

How flexible you thinking?? Obviously a object as small as a tow, even when coated in normal resins will still have a lot of flex due to the small size of material.

or are you thinking totally flexible? in which case something like our EF80 Flexible Epoxy Resin would encapsulate the tow but leave it very flexible.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

Hi Warren.

I am looking for the tow to be flexible from straight to over a curve. The CF tow will be made into cordage to be used to create the netting and below is a picture of two types I made yesterday by hand; the one on the left is made from two strands of 3K tow in single twist, and the one on the right is made from four strands of 3K tow in double twist.



I am currently getting the component parts together to build a "rope making machine" so that I can make the cordage from the tow with consistent strengths, also I need to make about 750 metres so that would not be easy by hand.

The cordage will make up the netting and will be subjected to a range of conditions through its flight. These include temperature range from ambiant outdoor on the day down to as much as -70 deg C, moisture will be very variable as the craft passes through altitudes which could go up as far as 32,000 metres (110,000ft) and subject to type of cloud passed through, and at full expansion of 9 metres in diameter the netting will be subjected to a level of force but I doubt will have any impact on the cordage its self which is very strong indeed. The addition of the right type of resin will better bond the cordage and prevent any unraveling of it and also provide a high level of waterproofing too.

UV levels at these altitudes are far in excess of normal exposure so finding the right type of resin is important because I want the craft to be reusable which will only require the addition of a new balloon and an amount of helium gas as the expendables, this way the craft can be continually upgraded as lessons are learned from each flight until I can finally test and install the right kind of propulsion system. I hope some of this makes some sense.

Jim