[simpits-tech] Canopy Material

[Marv De Beque]

It definitely sounds promising.  The next question is scratch resistance and
the ability to polish scratches out (which you can't do with polycarbonate.

If this stuff has the following properties that are equal to acrylic:

the optical clarity of acrylic
the scratch resistance of acrylic
UV resistance of acrylic
ability to be formed and retain its shape
ability to resist penetration and cracking
equivalent or lower weight than acrylic

then, it would be an excellent substitute for actual canopies on aircraft.

Do you know if this material is currently FAA approved for aircraft
canopies?

If so, it would be an excellent for both the simulation world and aircraft.

I would be very interested in knowing those answers since cracking of
aircraft canopies is a BIG and expensive problem for aircraft, including
sail planes.

Marv
-- 


> From: Tom Colello <4b@intersurf.com>
> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2002 14:04:20 -0500
> To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Subject: [simpits-tech] Canopy Material
> 
> Marv,
> It does have alot of the properties that Lexan has but seems to form easier
> either cold or with heat and we have never been able to twist polycarbonate
> cold like we did this stuff.
> I took a piece of 1/8" thick  1" wide by 6" long and cold bent it into a W
> shape and flexed the seams 100 times without a break. The bend got so thin
> I was able to tear it. It never did break.
> How well it will hold shape I don't know. The literature shows a blow
> molded piece in the form of a mask with a Pinoccio nose so it must retain
> it's shape after molded. I just thought this would solve many problems with
> forming canopy's for some of you guys sims.
> 
> Tom
> 
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