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reefdiver
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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Thermally Insulating Material

01/18/2010 10:54 AM

Good morning all,

I am looking for a material that is about as rigid as aluminum, but has better thermal insulating properties. The part I'm designing is approximately 6" x 6" x .15" thick.

It should be easy to machine (or at least can be machined by a typical machine shop). I do not need the insulating properties of a machinable ceramic, some type of plastic type material would do.

The problem I've encountered is that any of the plastics I've tried are not rigid enough at that thickness. I am going to try Garolite next but was wondering if anyone else had a suggestion or two.

thanks
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lyn
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#1

Re: Thermally insulating material

01/18/2010 11:56 AM

Polyphenylene sulfide (Ryton) is pretty rigid. And it can be glass filled, too. Flat sheets of it have a distinctly metallic ring when dropped. A great attention getter! (Looks like plastic, sounds like aluminum)

You may have to go to a graphite/epoxy laminate to get the stiffness you need.

I'd go to: Online Materials Information Resource - MatWeb

You can search for the stiffest material and see other properties as well. There's TON'S of easily reachable information there.

Good Luck
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user-deleted-1105
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Thermally insulating material

01/18/2010 12:54 PM

GA... I was going to say wood ...<skulks off to play with latest bow project>
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lyn
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Thermally insulating material

01/18/2010 1:01 PM

You woodn't have said that had you gone to MatWeb first. There's a good kitty.
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cwarner7_11
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#5
In reply to #1

Re: Thermally insulating material

01/19/2010 12:24 AM

Great link, lynlynch...
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lyn
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#7
In reply to #5

Re: Thermally insulating material

01/19/2010 5:59 AM

Thanks. Wish I could take some credit for it.
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user-deleted-1105
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#8
In reply to #7

Re: Thermally insulating material

01/19/2010 6:11 AM

If you can't take credit for other people's work, you'll never make the management team.
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The Prof
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#4

Re: Thermally Insulating Material

01/18/2010 8:42 PM

See if this material is of any interest. Have used it many times for bushes, but not in your kind of application.

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Nigh
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#6

Re: Thermally Insulating Material

01/19/2010 5:38 AM

What are your temperature limits? We use ABS for machined insulating parts but we're interested in operating between room temp & -40°C.

ABS is easily obtainable & machines well.

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reefdiver
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#9
In reply to #6

Re: Thermally Insulating Material

01/19/2010 8:36 AM

"What are your temperature limits? We use ABS for machined insulating parts but we're interested in operating between room temp & -40°C."

It will be operating between ambiant and +35C

I'd have to get a piece of ABS to see how rigid it is at .15 thick.
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Nigh
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#10
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Re: Thermally Insulating Material

01/19/2010 8:58 AM

+35°C should be OK, I have a lump of ABS here & it is quite rigid but my piece is cylindrical & thicker than the piece you need.

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cwarner7_11 (1); lyn (3); Nigh (2); reefdiver (1); The Prof (1); user-deleted-1105 (2)

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