[simpits-tech] Canopy Material

[Marv De Beque]

Sounds interesting!

Polycarbonates (A.K.A. Lexan) has the same properties.  However, the
chemical makeup of polycarbonates also scratch very easily.

How does Spectar compare to Lexan or how does it compare to Polycast (a
MIL-Spec Acrylic that is used for aircraft canopies) for scratch resistance
and repair?

Also, can you compare/contrast the optical properties of Spectar to Lexan
and Polycast?

Thanks in advance,

Marv
-- 


> From: Tom Colello <4b@intersurf.com>
> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2002 08:30:40 -0500
> To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Subject: [simpits-tech] Canopy Material
> 
> Those of you who are interested in a new material for home built canopy's I
> may have just the thing. The material is called Spectar. It is a
> copolyester material. It is very similiar to acryllic and polycarbonate. It
> comes in sheet form 48x96 inches and various thicknesses. This stuff is
> tremendous. You can cold form it without crazing or cracking, blow mold
> shapes if you have an oven, cut it ,rout it without any of the undesirable
> properties of either polycarbonate or acrylic. We even drove a 16 penny
> nail into it and it didn't crack or chip. It mearly swallowed up the nail.
> We took a 3" deck screw and without predrilling screwed it into the
> material and no chips or cracks. It's perfectly clear can be solvent
> cemented or hot air welded using the same material as weld rod. I took a
> piece of 1/8" thick and cold bent it in half and it didn't break or form a
> craze line in the bend. It can be cut with any fine tooth blade such as a
> plywood blade. This stuff is amazing. We even took a piece of it and hand
> twisted it into a spiral.
> This stuff can't be bought at your local hardware store so if you don't
> have a commercial plastics supplier near you get in touch with me at
> 4b@intersurf.com and if you want to purchase some I can get it for you as I
> work for 4B Plastics here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
> 
> Tom
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
> Thanks!