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Sample Tube Pics
Hello Gary,
Here are some pics of my tube and construction of a light trap. It is constructed from 3 layers of e-glass inside 6mm Nomex honeycomb with another 3 layers of e-glass on the outside (next time I will just use 2 layers inside and out). It has been constructed in 2 sections that bolt together for ease of transport. The patchy but smooth appearance is due to the use of glass bubble/epoxy mix as a final lightweight filling layer that has been sanded smooth. I plan to spray paint it white with a hard enamel paint when I get around to finishing it.
There appear to be 2 schools of thought when it comes to the final appearance for carbon fibre tubes - some like the appearance of the black carbon fibre (and is how most commercial tubes appear to be made). However, epoxy resin breaks down from UV exposure after time, and the black tubes will get very hot and may even reach HDT (heat distortion temperature) if not properly protected from the sun. For that matter, it wouldn't be advisable to leave any colour fibreglass product inside a car on a hot summer day (I ruined a tennis racquet that way once!). I prefer the traditional white look, and I think it may be more difficult anyway to have a clear look with sandwich core construction (if you want the tube perfectly smooth and round).
Regards,
David
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