Kydex instead of aluminum?

[Rebel]

Anyone ever use Kydex Sheet instead of aluminum? I ran across it in another hobby - building a telescope. Thanks for any input. http://www.kydex.com/

[Michael W]

It does not appear this material is acceptible of exterior applications. I highly doubt it is UV stable, note the lack of any mention of outdoor usages in thier techical data. I would be concerned the material would chalk or become brittle if used on the outside of a teardrop and exposed to sunlight. It may be a good choice for inside the cabin or galley.

[BobR]

This is the best use of Kydex I can think of...I own three different holsters...there indestructable...unluss you shoot a hole in them

[DANL]

Hmmm...

I have a 20 foot Wilce Navigator cat yawl sailboat made of 2" foam sandwiched between two layers of Kydex. It has been outside for twenty years with no problem. Kydex is really tough but, unfortunately, quite expensive. I was going to use it for my trailer until I checked the cost.

[IraRat]

Hmmm...

I have a 20 foot Wilce Navigator cat yawl sailboat made of 2" foam sandwiched between two layers of Kydex. It has been outside for twenty years with no problem. Kydex is really tough but, unfortunately, quite expensive. I was going to use it for my trailer until I checked the cost.

What kind of money are you talking about? I'm looking for a galley material that's similar to mica. Figure I would just need one sheet, maybe 2.

[angib]

I'd never heard of Kydex, so I looked around and found this interesting article on plastics used in making boats and how to repair them.

Andrew

[IraRat]

Jim Kaufman from Kydex just called. I was interested in the WG series, wood grain (birch), for the galley.

He gave me the name of the regional sales rep in SE FLorida, but basically, it was "Good luck finding it. If it's not a big order, we're not interested."

[Rebel]

As I mentioned in previous post, I bought kydex (.028 black) for use in my amateur telescope building...a great baffle material and highly recommended for this. I have talked to my supplier and she tells me kydex is used to restore hulls of fishing boats . I also note one of our members below that he used it to build his boat.

I have asked my supplier for more info on size, color, and thickness available and should know that info next week. They do have in stock black .028 48 x 96 sheets.

What thickness would be ideal for camper use? The .028 seems good to skin over the plywood - but would like your input.

[IraRat]

As I mentioned in previous post, I bought kydex (.028 black) for use in my amateur telescope building...a great baffle material and highly recommended for this. I have talked to my supplier and she tells me kydex is used to restore hulls of fishing boats . I also note one of our members below that he used it to build his boat.

I have asked my supplier for more info on size, color, and thickness available and should know that info next week. They do have in stock black .028 48 x 96 sheets.

What thickness would be ideal for camper use? The .028 seems good to skin over the plywood - but would like your input.

Rebel, when you get the info, and if their color availability matches what some of us may want to try, will your guy ship?

I'm particularly interested in their WG series--like 5 types of wood grain. (They have a birch that looks fantastic.) Problem is, the Kydex national rep I spoke to says it's hard to get the odd one or two pieces, especially of the WG stuff. I want to use it in my galley.

Keep us informed!!!

BTW--I think .028 would be okay. Although .032 aluminum is prone to damage from hail, I don't think that would be problem with this stuff.

--Ira

[IraRat]

Yesterday, I received their box of samples--and I'm still drooling.

The stuff is gorgeous, and they sent me real, nice-size samples of like every one they manufacture!

It was pretty impressive.

Now all I have to do is see if/where I can buy just two pieces of the birch.

[Chris C]

I owned a plastic manufacturing plant for 27 years and used a LOT of Kydex. It's a great material. Fine for outdoor applications. If you are buying a lot of it you can have just about any thickness, color, texture, or printed surface you like. However, I think luck would have more to do with what you could buy for a tear. If someone in your area were manufacturing something out of a type you liked and had extra material left over after the completion of the job, then you'd be in luck. But I've never known a dealer who just stocked lots of different thickness', colors, textures, etc. for sale to the public. Not to say it isn't possible, just never seen it. With that said, I have to admit it would be a really good material to use on tears..............................however, it is heavier than aluminum for any given thickness.................and I don't think you'd want much less than .100" because of it's flexability. Just my opinion.

[IraRat]

Good point on the thickness, Chris--because all of the samples they sent me are the same thickness, not indicated, but pretty thick.

I just figured that for galley usage, not skins, it wouldn't have to be that thick. But you're right--if it's really thin, any flex is going to wreak havoc with it.

It's kind of a moot point anyway right now, because you're ALSO right about finding the right style for sale in our required quantities. And the guy hasn't called me back yet to boot.

[Rebel]

I talked with my contact for Kydex this morning, and she wil have more info later; however, here is some info. As a dealer, she has to order a skid from the factory. This means a skid of a certain color or size. As someone pointed out here, not many dealers can keep a lot of varities on hand. The leadtime would be a minimum of three weeks.

The cost of Kydex is quite high due to the petrolium prices being out of sight - plastics. She says she can get it in 4 x 8 or 5 x 8 but the skid would be one color. If the demand is there, she would do it (a skid of .028 is in the neighborhood of 30 or more sheets - 1000 pounds). .040 would be 22 sheets if I remember correctly.

Here is a link to the colors and other info. http://kydex.rappadvertising.com/Products/TexturesAndColors.asp.

She has in stock black 4 x 8 which she ordered some time ago and has a good price on these (less than 20 bucks plus shipping). I have a feeling the cost for the same thing if she has to order from factory will be a whole lot more.

It is good stuff. I got my 1/2 sheet black for telescope work and am very pleased with it.

Rebel

[angib]

The stuff is gorgeous, and they sent me real, nice-size samples of like every one they manufacture!

Sounds to me like you've got all you need. Work out how to stick the samples together and you've got the world's first plastic patchwork-quilt-effect teardrop. Cool and practical!

Andrew

[Chris C]

Ethylene dichloride will solvent bond it together, or it can be gas welded.