alumalite board?

[16ft superboat]

Has anyone ever used a board called alumalite? Its two very thin pieces of aluminum with a wavy plastic in the middle for strength. I'm looking to build a very light weight hatch for the viper, and a buddy gave me a small sheet. 12in x 38in weighs about 597g. They come already gloss black or white. Its very strong and thin also and a lot cheaper then coosa. Any input would b great thanks

[afr]

there great i have seen them used for blk,s in a lot of ULH boats and several experimental airplanes

http://www.laminatorsinc.com/sign-panels/products/alumalite

[16ft superboat]

I'm thinking buying a sheet. I can't believe how light it is and strong. It can save me a lot of time when doing the hatch instead of glassing and sanding and painting.

[olboatman]

Thanks afr for the site.:thumbsup: I am looking to replace the HEAVY starboard composite floor in my SLT. Gary

[CharlieN]

I use a number of 4X8 sheets a year in the cars I build. It is pretty nice stuff. It is available in many different colors other than black or white and if bare aluminum skin is of interest look at Econolite.

Another product to look at for projects is Omegabond, this is a solid core and can be formed. It is available in many thicknesses as well different face colors.

[olboatman]

Thanks CharlieN Will check out the Omegabond as I'm lookin for 1/2" thickness. Gary

[CharlieN]

The only panel close to that would be Prolite which is 10mm thick, this is an all plastic material, I have not had it in hand so I know nothing about it.
The other panels are 6mm, call it ¼" material, I do recall somewhere seeing a 12mm panel but can not think of it at this time.

[olboatman]

The only panel close to that would be Prolite which is 10mm thick, this is an all plastic material, I have not had it in hand so I know nothing about it.
The other panels are 6mm, call it ¼" material, I do recall somewhere seeing a 12mm panel but can not think of it at this time.
Charlie if the 6mm is light enough I would laminate a couple together--- would make real strong especially since I need it for a non-supported deck in my Inflatable SLT. Gary

[CharlieN]

How wide is that deck, I am not sure this would be the right material for that. The original design is a building material, if you look at the shiny siding on the structure over the pumps in a gas station that is what this is.
A good supply near you is a sign supply store near Manchester airport, I do not recall the name. They should have a good stock and be able to advise it's uses.
For a stressed floor I would want a composite skin structure. Think of Alumalite as a corrugated cardboard with plastic core and thin aluminum skins, being corrugated inside it really just has strength in one direction.

[olboatman]

How wide is that deck, I am not sure this would be the right material for that. The original design is a building material, if you look at the shiny siding on the structure over the pumps in a gas station that is what this is.
A good supply near you is a sign supply store near Manchester airport, I do not recall the name. They should have a good stock and be able to advise it's uses.
For a stressed floor I would want a composite skin structure. Think of Alumalite as a corrugated cardboard with plastic core and thin aluminum skins, being corrugated inside it really just has strength in one direction.
The deck is 44" wide by 90"long and is in to pieces joined by an aluminum H channel. It is now made from King Starboard which is WAY to heavy and distorts in the sun (heat). Been thinkin about makein the panels of 1/2" hi-density foam impraganated with epoxy and a fiberglass skin on both sides. But if I can find panels to do the job --- I have plenty of other projects. Gary

[CharlieN]

I do not think I would want to stand on a sheet of this supported just by the edges. The corrugations do run the short way on the sheet which is in your favor. Two sheets might not be enough to take the pounding without buckling.
One of my main uses of this material is the flat underbelly on road race cars, These have been withstanding allot more pounding when the car goes off track than I expected. Having a 2800# car drag the belly along curbing without destroying the belly has surprised me.

For reference a 4X8 sheet is 25# and in Alumilite costs about $90, Alumilite is color on both sides, Econolite is color on one face and is about $15 less which if you were to bond it is what you would want.

Personally I think i would be looking at Nida-Core to carry these loads.

Starboard is just HDPE sheet material, good stuff but has it's limits. I use this as the underbelly of Rally cars, it takes a pounding. I also line sandblast cabinets with HDPE.

[Onetime]

I've heard boat manufactures use it for the upholstered side panels in boats replacing plywood. Seems like a good application for this product. Anybody know if it's available n longer lengths or how you would splice it?

[olboatman]

I do not think I would want to stand on a sheet of this supported just by the edges. The corrugations do run the short way on the sheet which is in your favor. Two sheets might not be enough to take the pounding without buckling.
One of my main uses of this material is the flat underbelly on road race cars, These have been withstanding allot more pounding when the car goes off track than I expected. Having a 2800# car drag the belly along curbing without destroying the belly has surprised me.

For reference a 4X8 sheet is 25# and in Alumilite costs about $90, Alumilite is color on both sides, Econolite is color on one face and is about $15 less which if you were to bond it is what you would want.

Personally I think i would be looking at Nida-Core to carry these loads.

Starboard is just HDPE sheet material, good stuff but has it's limits. I use this as the underbelly of Rally cars, it takes a pounding. I also line sandblast cabinets with HDPE.
Charlie Thanks so much for the info. I have bought thin plastic sheeting for making patterns at the dealer at the Manchester Airport yrs ago but can't remember the name (sucks to get old)! Will lookem up and keep ya posted with what I come up with. Gary

[CharlieN]

I've heard boat manufactures use it for the upholstered side panels in boats replacing plywood. Seems like a good application for this product. Anybody know if it's available n longer lengths or how you would splice it?

4X8 sheets at plastic supplies or McMaster. Plastic welding is one way,I do not recall if or what adhesive would work.