Good materials for creating friction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding suitable materials to slow down a model F1 car after it crosses the finish line, specifically focusing on cushioning methods to prevent damage to the car. Participants explore various materials and techniques for both stopping the car and cushioning its impact.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest testing various materials to cushion the car's impact, including softer cushions and different types of friction materials.
  • Aluminium on aluminium is noted to have a high coefficient of friction, but its suitability for slowing the car is questioned.
  • There are suggestions for using nets, bungee cords, or parachutes as potential stopping mechanisms.
  • One participant proposes a sandwich of carpets with cotton balls in between to trap the car gently.
  • Ideas such as using an arrester hook, spring-loaded cords, or a sand pit are mentioned as possible solutions.
  • Some participants humorously suggest unconventional materials like corn flakes, oatmeal, or bubble wrap for cushioning.
  • Concerns are raised about the harshness of certain materials, like nets, at high speeds, suggesting the need for softer alternatives.
  • There are also playful suggestions, such as using partially inflated trash bags or crumpled newspaper, to absorb impact.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best material or method for stopping the car, with multiple competing views and suggestions remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions may depend on the specific dynamics of the car's speed and weight, and the effectiveness of proposed materials is not fully explored or resolved.

Athena Racing
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We will be racing a 55g model F1 car on the 28th of April in the F1 in Schools national finals however at the regional finals we came across a problem. The car traveled 24 meters in 1.1 seconds but broke on impact with the towel used to stop the car at the end of the race. We need to find a material that will slow our car down after the finish line where it will travel about six meters until we stop it or a material to stop the car with at the end that will cushion the blow and prevent the front wings from breaking

We will be testing many materials so all suggestions are welcome :)

(for the regional finals the whole car was made from balsa wood, for nationals the front and bak wings have been 3-D printed using PLA)
 
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Athena Racing said:
We will be testing many materials so all suggestions are welcome :)

i was looking at the table of coefficient of friction and found aluminium on aluminium have quite a good range -up to 1.35.
what will be final spped at the tracks in the event?
 
drvrm said:
i was looking at the table of coefficient of friction and found aluminium on aluminium have quite a good range -up to 1.35.
what will be final spped at the tracks in the event?

The cars usually travel at about 55mph
 
Is friction what you want here? It sounds like you want softer cushions.
 
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Khashishi said:
Is friction what you want here? It sounds like you want softer cushions.
Ideally we'd like to put some sort of material on the track at the end to slow it down so that it's not damaged at the end. If we find that too hard to do we were just going to softer cushions.
 
Can't you just lock the wheels to stop?
 
I doubt a 55g model car will have much in the way of controls, so I assume they are looking for something outside the car itself to stop it. Otherwise I would suggest a parachute.

I have an idea. Maybe make a sandwich with two carpets, and stuff some cotton balls between them to trap the car. See the attached picture.
idea.png
 
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Net and bungee cords .
 
I think a net will be too harsh an impact at 55mph, but perhaps put one at the end, after traversing some cushioning.
 
  • #10
Khashishi said:
I doubt a 55g model car will have much in the way of controls
Good point. Maybe just a lever that sticks up above the car that catches on something at the finish line that kills the engine and locks the wheels...
Nidum said:
Net and bungee cords .
Khashishi said:
Otherwise I would suggest a parachute.
Net and parachutes... :smile:
 
  • #11
How about an arrester hook, and a spring loaded "trap wire/ cord"? Sort of the upside down configuration of a carrier landing..
 
  • #12
A sand pit makes a good trap for the tractor-trailers that lose their brakes coming down a mountain.

If that's a little too harsh for you how about sprinkling some corn flakes or oatmeal on the track. (Also feeds the birds after the race:biggrin:) Peanut butter could also work but would be a hassle to clean up.
 
  • #13
A wall/pit of bubble wrap? - the stuff used to package delicate items for transport.
 
  • #14
Sponges might work... Or sandpaper.
 
  • #15
Friction + balsa wood = very light streak of flaming sawdust.
 
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  • #16
Why not an inflatable inner from a gutted sport ball...air bag effect.
 
  • #17
The reason I suggested putting carpets above and below the car is to avoid a fast frontal impact. The cotton balls were chosen because they are much lighter than 55g so the car will push them rather than slam into them.
 
  • #18
A pool of Uranium hexafluoride [gas]?
 
  • #19
Use a glue strip under the wheels at the end of the race.
 
  • #20
Some crumpled up newspaper.
Popcorn.
Partially inflated trash bag.
 

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