A sneak peek at some new glass cloth which we'll be using. We have just bought a large roll of it. 3D glass provides around 8 times (!) the strength of the equivalent weight of standard woven fibreglass, and makes a 'composite' skin in a one step process. The cloth was invented in the nineties by a velvet manufacturer in the Netherlands.
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| A magnified look at Matrix glass, the two layers are joined with figure eight loops, making the whole skin a 3mm thick 'composite' hollow inner sprung layer. |
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| This pic shows the capillary action 'sucking' the blue resin up the internal looping. When the top layer of resin is added it will trickle down the same shafts and complete the process. |
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This is interesting stuff, Roy.
ReplyDeleteIs this some new glass cloth you're patenting or is from some industrial supplier.
Looking at it, off the top of my head, it would seem that - with epoxy applied - it would not be translucent. If so, it would more applicable to the exterior of foam boards rather than wood.
It is my understanding that the inherent weakness of weaved glass, as shown in the CGI model above surface portions, is on the weave contacts. That is to say, weave patterns create the many break points of glass.
If applied to the interior of wood boards, biaxial glass fiber layering provides superior strength over weave - though this new matrix process may be better given overall weight.
Looking at it, I can only think it rather thick and would soak up a significant about of a epoxy in wetout, thereby adding considerable weight to the board.
From a design standpoint, I should think it would enable the development of significantly thinner board to be produced.
I can only think that matix glass is intended for your line of foam matrix boards (as your wood boards seem perfected design-wise). As you've expressed a dislike for the glass fibre itch of processing, I imagine you'll have assistants or third parties doing the glass work.
Hi Bill,
ReplyDeleteThe cloth is available from Parabeam in the Netherlands.
It's fairly trasnslucent but I'll only be using it on EPS foam boards. It's equivalent to over 20oz cloth, which will bring the weight up to that of the 70's single fins, kind of what I'm after.
There's a youtube video around showing a 3d glassed board being beaten on with a hammer without any damage, the same treatment on a regular board punches straight through immediately.
Because the laminate is 3mm thick it should provide interesting possibilites for resin tinting, giving depth to the effect.
You are right regarding the strength on thinner boards, the trick is to maintain buoyancy at the same time.
The worst itch comes from foiling glass fins, it's not too bad when glassing.