We currently use aluminium as a material for a one piece casting. I have heard the term 'polymer concrete' banded around and was hoping someone might have some knowledge of where polymers may be cast and used as an alternative to aluminium. Thermal stability and vibration damping are 2 attractive properties for us, as well as weight and strength.
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Polymer concrete
- Thread starter pedrof
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Chemical
Polymer concrete refers to a material where the agregate is bound together by a thermosetting polymer rather than portland cement. The agregate can be rocks, gravel, sand, or pieces of aluminum. Molds are sometimes made from epoxy filled with aluminum wires cut to 1/4" lengths and granular aluminum. The amount of polymer used may be as little as 10%. The thermal stability will be mainly determined by the type of polymer used.
Polymers approaching the strength of cast Aluminium (note the spelling - must be UK!!) are made by (amongst others):
Du Pont make something similar but I think it's sold as Zytel HTN - for high temperature rather than strength. Same stuff though - partially aromatic nylon blends (Ixef is not so, it is something else I cannot spell!!!)
They are not gravity castable - although pressure diecasting tools can be easily modified to sample the materials.
Cheers
Harry
Du Pont make something similar but I think it's sold as Zytel HTN - for high temperature rather than strength. Same stuff though - partially aromatic nylon blends (Ixef is not so, it is something else I cannot spell!!!)
They are not gravity castable - although pressure diecasting tools can be easily modified to sample the materials.
Cheers
Harry
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