Aerogel
Aerogel is a synthetic porous ultralight material derived from a gel, in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas
Fiberglass refers to a group of products made from individual glass fibers combined into a variety of forms.
The most widely accepted and least expensive reinforcement is fiberglass. It has been used successfully in many applications since the 1950's, and much is known about its properties. It is relatively lightweight, has moderate tensile and compressive strength, is tolerant of both damage and cyclical loading, and is easy to handle and machine. Carbon fiber is a modern reinforcement characterized by extremely low weight, high tensile strength, and high stiffness. The material handles easily and can be molded much like fiberglass. However, some advanced techniques are necessary to achieve the maximum properties of this material. Carbon fiber is also the most expensive of the reinforcing fibers. This fact often limits its use to parts needing selective reinforcement or high stiffness with the least weight. Kevlar®, the most common aramid type fiber, offers a third reinforcement option. Kevlar exhibits the lowest density of any fiber reinforcement, high tensile strength for its weight, and superior toughness. It is priced favorably between fiberglass and carbon fiber. Kevlar is puncture and abrasion resistant, making it the reinforcement of choice for canoes, kayaks, and leading edges of airfoils. On the down side, Kevlar is difficult to cut and machine during part fabrication. A pair of sharp scissors should be dedicated solely to cutting Kevlar. It also has a low service temperature and poor compressive properties. It is possible to combine Kevlar with other materials creating a hybrid laminate to compensate for the shortcomings. The following is a chart comparing the relative properties of reinforcing fabrics.
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- Aerogel.org » Supercritical Drying
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- Aerogel.org » Gel Drying Procedures
- Aerogel.org » Parts and Schematics
- Aerogel.org » Silica Aerogel (TMOS, Base-Catalyzed)
- Making silica aerogel at home - YouTube