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composite using aluminum windowscreen layer
Can anyone see an advantage using aluminum windowscreen for a layer or
layers in a composite structure. The outer layer(s)could be fiberglass where exterior smoothness is required. At ~0.5 oz per ft^2 it should be useful for something where high strength to weight is desired. Has it been used in some previous design? Comments please. |
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I don't see the point from a structural point of view.
The only reason you would do this is for lightning protection. Copper and alumnium meshes are commonly laminated into composite laminates of certificated airplanes to disipate electical energy associated with a lightening strike. However I wouldn't use flyscreen mesh for this. There are products available for this exact prupose from Astrostrike and Delker (I think they just changed there name). They are cheap and have a proper surface treatment for bonding to the epoxy (they are cocured). "Allan Morrison" wrote in message om... Can anyone see an advantage using aluminum windowscreen for a layer or layers in a composite structure. The outer layer(s)could be fiberglass where exterior smoothness is required. At ~0.5 oz per ft^2 it should be useful for something where high strength to weight is desired. Has it been used in some previous design? Comments please. |
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Allan Morrison wrote: Can anyone see an advantage using aluminum windowscreen for a layer or layers in a composite structure. The outer layer(s)could be fiberglass where exterior smoothness is required. At ~0.5 oz per ft^2 it should be useful for something where high strength to weight is desired. Has it been used in some previous design? Comments please. I've used this several times to build quick and dirty scoops for wind tunnel tests of oil coolers. We have a very powerful fan and simulated airflow equivalents of 230 mph with no degradation of the scoop. I keep a can of a product we bought several years ago called "Tigerhair" I think it's made by bondo and usues a standard hardner and catalyst in a tube...it's mixed like bondo. I used to use window screen but now I use a stainless mesh with 1/2' grid and .015 dia wire. It's much easier to form and hold the shape. I only use stainless because we use it on other stuff and it's available to me, but if aluminum mesh of the same grid spacing and wire dia. were available it would be perfect. I've managed to make thin wall sections some as thin as 3/8" using a combination of tigerhair and bondo, but I see no harm in epoxy gelcoat for your application, I never trim the excess mesh away because I use that to form clips to mount the scoop to wind tunnel, but would also make a good blend skeletin...good luck! |
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