On Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:56:51 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:01:08 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Some weight examples, and my view that FRP is still pretty heavy and a
new material is in order.

Solid FRP is twice as heavy as wood with less strength and stiffness.
FRPs claim to fame is durability not light weight.

FRP is often touted as "lighter than steel, but stronger."
There's quite a bit of work being done using geometric structuring
with FRP to maintain strength and light weight, and of course
vacuuming processes to lower resin content.

State of the art light weight construction is being done with
uni-directional carbon fibers oriented in the direction of maximum
loading; vacuum bagging to remove excess epoxy resin; light weight
high strength core materials like closed cell foam, end grain balsa,
aluminum honeycomb, etc; all baked in an autoclave at exactly the
right temperature for maximum strength. Rigid process control is
critical for maximum strength and predictable outcome. Welded
aluminum is easy by comparison.

I suppose the cost of the processes is the big stumbling block.
Froggy might come up with a way to do it using a couple of flashlight
batteries. It's all pretty much voodoo to me.
Hey....voodoo. Might work.

--Vic