Thin, light, cheap and strong as wood material?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter downhilller
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a thin, lightweight, and cost-effective material that is as strong as wood for a science fair project. The intended application involves reinforcing a shaft, with participants exploring various material options and their properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that wood might be a viable option, while another proposes fiberglass depending on the application.
  • Aluminum is mentioned as a potential alternative, noted for its availability in thin sheets and its lightweight properties, though it may bend.
  • There is a clarification regarding the intended application, with one participant indicating the need for a material to wrap around a shaft rather than being the shaft itself.
  • Bamboo is proposed as a strong and inexpensive option, though its classification as wood is questioned.
  • Fiberglass packing tape is suggested for wrapping, with a note on its limited lifespan due to crystallization over time.
  • Concerns are raised about the flexibility of materials, particularly regarding the feasibility of using wood for wrapping around a shaft.
  • Epoxy is mentioned as a possible material, though its specific application is not detailed.
  • A question is posed about the necessary properties of the end product, particularly in relation to precision and performance at high rotational speeds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the suitability of various materials, with no consensus reached on the best option. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the ideal material choice and its properties.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of materials and their properties, particularly regarding flexibility and strength. There are also unresolved questions about the specific requirements for the end product, such as precision and performance under certain conditions.

downhilller
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Hi,
I am currently constructing a science fair project, and I was wondering if anybody knew any thin material that was relatively light weight, cheap, and as strong as wood. I understand that carbon fiber exists, but this material is rather expensive. If anyone knows alternatives to using wood or carbon fiber, please inform me.
Thanks.
 
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Why can't you use wood? Fibre glass might work depending upon the application.
 
Aluminum. You can buy it in thin sheets at your local hardware store, or even at some hobby stores.

You should share with us the intended application. The material chosen will depend on this. For example, sheet aluminum is light and string but will bend.
 
Its intended application is for a shaft, approxamately 1.5" wide, but I only need less than .5" of the material. It is intended to be wraped around the shaft. Sorry I cannot give away more, because I still want to keep my science fair idea rather confidential.
Thanks.
 
So you're not talking about the shaft itself, but merely a material to bind it?
If it's the shaft, bamboo is straight, cheap, and even stronger than carbon fibre. I don't know whether or not that counts as wood, though. For wrapping, you can get fibreglass packing tape at any hardware store. The lifespan is limited, since it crystalizes after a few years.
If you're a Red Green fan, never forget the "handyman's secret weapon"... :rolleyes:
 
downhilller said:
Its intended application is for a shaft, approxamately 1.5" wide, but I only need less than .5" of the material. It is intended to be wraped around the shaft.
What?? These statements seem almost contradictory.

The shaft is 1.5" in diameter, OK.

Do you already have the shaft? And you are looking for a material to wrap around the shaft? That needs to be some pretty flexible material! How would you do that with wood?? .5" of wood would never wrap around a shaft.

Or are you maknig the shaft out of this material? And the wall of the shaft need be only .5" thick? I?f so, what is it that is getting wrapped around the shaft?
 
Alright, I see how those statements can appear contradictory, so I will explain it clearer. Let's say there is a shaft, 1" wide, and I want to wrap .5" of some material around it to reinforce it and make it stronger. Wood would not work for this project because even if I used flexible wood, it would not be able to mold itself to the shaft. So, I am looking for a material that is as strong as wood, but flexible enough to be able to be wrapped around a shaft. That is why I am currently looking at fiber glass, but I am open to more suggestions.
Hopefully this cleared it up.
Thanks!
 
Epoxy?
 
What properties does the end-product need to have? How precise? At high rotational speeds, any freeform material such as fibreglass will generate vibrations.
 

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