Floatation Foam

[Kazzer]

Oh well, I tried!
Physics defeated me again! :rolleyes:

It gets us all eventually!

[toppack]

Try Scotch Mist! :)

Now, I Really Like that suggestion! I'll drink to THAT!

Oh well, I tried!
Physics defeated me again! :rolleyes:

I'll keep looking for the 'Magic Solution', tho! :)

[Kazzer]

We don't want any 'Rolling Pigs'! :D
Surely there's some material that won't effect top-weight and flotation much, but will fill that area ??? :confused:
What about the stuff NASA invented, Aero-gel (Space-gel)?
Does it float?
Anyone have a good contact at NASA?

There's bound to be something that will work?

Try Scotch Mist! That will change from one state to another. :)

You have two distinct problems here. When the boat is surfaced, that void needs to be as light as air. When the boat is submerged it needs to be as heavy as water. Something added that is in between won't work in either state. Pure physics!

Actually there is a third and fluctuating state. During a dive or surface, the void will be proportionally full of water and air depending on the depth.

Best solution - air and water! :D

[toppack]

We don't want any 'Rolling Pigs'! :D
Surely there's some material that won't effect top-weight and flotation much, but will fill that area ??? :confused:
What about the stuff NASA invented, Aero-gel (Space-gel)?
Does it float?
Anyone have a good contact at NASA?

There's bound to be something that will work?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I was considering an experiment of gluing something under the superstructure/deck of my Gato. Filling that space with something light weight (not much heavier than water) but with little buoyancy would make that space a Neutral-buoyancy area that would not trap air or water. Therefore not effecting trim much, reducing the effects of traped air in that area.
I was thinking about using a dense rubber material that does not absorb water and does not float.
Has anyone else tried this?

You're talking about placing stuff up high in the model with a density of 1. Bad move, it raises the c.g and the boat will roll like a pig.

David,

[toppack]

I was considering an experiment of gluing something under the superstructure/deck of my Gato. Filling that space with something light weight (not much heavier than water) but with little buoyancy would make that space a Neutral-buoyancy area that would not trap air or water. Therefore not effecting trim much, reducing the effects of traped air in that area.
I was thinking about using a dense rubber material that does not absorb water and does not float.
Has anyone else tried this?

[deepseadiver]

I love that colour of green. If your not man enough for pink, I always say go green. ;)

I think woman would like that color more then a guy :eek: and i wanted my submarine to show its more aggresive side. :D

[toppack]

Yep, I like the green also, but the water-based paint, that I have already, is flat camo Tan, so that's the interior color mine will be. :D LOL
It will go well with the flat camo green, of the exterior. :D

[junglelord]

I love that colour of green. If your not man enough for pink, I always say go green. ;)

[deepseadiver]

I was the one that painted my flotation foam because it was pink i was looking for blue but could not find it. I painted it with a flat neon green it does nothing to the foam in any way it works just fine plus it's the color i wanted .Go to my gato submarine thread and you will see three pictures of it inside the hull it turned out just fine. If you like pink then live with it. personally i do not like the color. Oh what the heck heres a picture of it. I got my foam at lowes, its insulation foam used in bathrooms you can find it at construction jobs look in there dumster i see it all the time:D



Jim

[toppack]

Did I miss something here, why the heck are we painting floatation foam?

J

Simple, I don't Like Pink Subs or Pink parts in them.
The Pink polystyrene is the only good flotation foam I could find locally, since I've used up all my blue foam.
I was talking about this in another thread but could not remember where so thought I'd stick my comment here, Sorry. :)

[Slats]

Did I miss something here, why the heck are we painting floatation foam?

J

[Kazzer]

I found out that water-based outdoor Paint Does work well on polystyrene floation Foam. No melting or distortion. I had to let dry overnight, it seems to dry slower on foam? I did get it on thick tho.
I had to use a spray-gun to do it, but No biggy since there is easy clean-up also with that paint.
One thick coat was all that was needed. :)

No more Pink Submarine parts! :)

One thick coat will take 10 times longer to dry than 2 thin coats. The drying process is also speeded up by the substrate absorbing the water content. In the case of foam, there is no absorption, hence the longer drying time.

[toppack]

I found out that water-based outdoor Paint Does work well on polystyrene floation Foam. No melting or distortion. I had to let dry overnight, it seems to dry slower on foam? I did get it on thick tho.
I had to use a spray-gun to do it, but No biggy since there is easy clean-up also with that paint.
One thick coat was all that was needed. :)

No more Pink Submarine parts! :)

[deepseadiver]

Lowes carries it in their insulation board area. Yes it's what you are looking for. It has to be closed cell foam or it will get water logged in time and defeat the purpose. Also try home base, has it the last time i looked . Home depot does not carry it at least not the two i have looked at . Look at construction sites using it for bathroom wall insulation , they some times throw pieces of it away in there dumpsters, i have seen a lot that way. Its free also.

Jim