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After reading the link provided it turns out these 3M spheres are much stronger than the hobby version and are suitable for larger applications and broader range of uses.
Before I do anything I ask myself “Would an idiot do that?” And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing. - Dwight Schrute
The uses I am familiar with it wasn't using pre pregs and itwas in an automotive application, I don't know if it reduced the weight but acvtually was used to acheive another important critieria which was surface finish. ie used as a core which expanded and gave a good surface finish on the moulded side
Glass bubbles are very interesting. I remember using them when cementing oil wells. The reduction of the weight of the cement allowed longer cement columns, and the cement sets quicker because of the bubbles acting as crystal nuclei.
I remember watching a program about crazy civilian structures in The Discovery Channel, apparently they're starting to use them.
We used 3M spheres, 3000 psi resistant (I think).
I think that having a composite material with a matrix composed of zillions of glass bubbles would be highly beneficial regarding stress propagation; the bubbles would act as a obstacle where stress could be anchored to, preventing material failure.
I like this thread. Let's keep it active!
"I've already altered the deal, pray I don't alter it any further" -Darth Vader to Lando Calrissian. The Empire Strikes Back.
"Progress is not always made by reasonable men." (McLaren Racing).
"We have optimised the lateral optical interface of the building." (Translation: "My factory has a lot of windows.") Ron Dennis.-
ha ha ha
it's nice looking at those glass bubbles rolling inside a glass bottle, they flow pretty easy...
of course you will want to keep them away from your respiratory system. be careful!
"I've already altered the deal, pray I don't alter it any further" -Darth Vader to Lando Calrissian. The Empire Strikes Back.
"Progress is not always made by reasonable men." (McLaren Racing).
"We have optimised the lateral optical interface of the building." (Translation: "My factory has a lot of windows.") Ron Dennis.-
If you hold an egg in your hand, and apply even pressure all around it by squeezing, sometimes the egg can not be broken by pure human strength. Make the pressure uneven and the egg will break pretty easy.
I think that these work the same way. You could easily "pop" them, but when embedded in a material, they should have forces applies on all sides.
I don't plan on doing anything with them, but my ex gf is a pottery freak, and she thinks that they could be used to do a very fine glaze.
Finding unique glazes is hard. Everything has ben used.
Dust mask? I plan on chopping this crap on a mirror and snorting it.
Just kidding, I work on job sites where often there is a lot of silica hazard. I wear a respirator when exposed to it, and some f the guys rib me, but I explain to them that a concrete finishers average life expectancy is 67, a far cry of the 74 rough average.
I don't play around with particles that can pass right through a dust mask.
Before I do anything I ask myself “Would an idiot do that?” And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing. - Dwight Schrute
Microballons have been used with fiberglass etc, if you mix (liquid) polyester or epoxy resin with these ballons you get a thicker putty useable as glue or "bondo". The glass/air makes the repairs/joints easy to sand smooth after hardening, but at least the common types I've seen data for has also reduced strength a bit compared to pure resin. The air obviously makes the mix lighter than pure resin.
Too bad they don't seem to ship samples to Sweden, I would gladly have tried some for my fiberglass/carbon fibre parts.
Giblet wrote:I don't plan on doing anything with them, but my ex gf is a pottery freak, and she thinks that they could be used to do a very fine glaze.
lol, man, my ex won't give me the time of day but you talk to yours about composite materials?
The 3M website mentions giving dimensional stability to parts. Is dimensional stability a bigger concern with carbon fiber compared to say steel or aluminium? I haven't had a chance to work with the stuff yet.
