HDPE Boat Hulls

Discussion in 'Materials' started by kach22i, Nov 12, 2008.

  1. kach22i
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 2,418
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    Location: Michigan

    kach22i Architect

    Is anyone making HDPE Boat Hulls?

    Hovercraft Application..................
    http://www.hovpod.com/NewHovPodSPX.html

    Dimensions, Operation, Construction & Performance

    http://www.hovpod.com/technical/specification.html

    If anyone has more detail than is posted on their website, please post it.

    My HDPE questions:

    1. Is this a cast material

    2 Can it be machined

    3. Do you have to seal it or paint it?

    4. Same density all the way through?

    5. Ideal thickness?

    6. Will it hold a screw?

    7. What does salt water do to it?

    Example:
    http://www.hovpod.com/workpod/workpodcharacteristics.html
    [​IMG]

    SOME APPLICATIONS HERE:
    http://www.redwoodplastics.com/index.php?content=hdpe_and_ldpe
     
  2. kach22i
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 2,418
    Likes: 111, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1222
    Location: Michigan

    kach22i Architect

  3. MikeJohns
    Joined: Aug 2004
    Posts: 3,192
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    Location: Australia

    MikeJohns Senior Member

    George
    I think you will fnd that it's not stiff enough for anything other than small boats, dinghys canoes. Plastics also have an annoying tendency to creep under any permanent load.

    The walker Bay dinghy is a PE boat.
     
  4. mydauphin
    Joined: Apr 2007
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    Location: Florida

    mydauphin Senior Member

    I work with HDPE all the time. I build docks and seawalls with materials. I also have a Coleman Canoe that seems to be built of it. Here are my observations.

    1. Is this a cast material... Can also be extruded

    2 Can it be machined.. Yes

    3. Do you have to seal it or paint it?. No, but can get ugly from abuse. Hard to paint. Need to use special paints.

    4. Same density all the way through? Yes, but I don't why certain areas could not be made thicker, but that had issues also.

    5. Ideal thickness? This stuff is really heavy,it is very strong to puncher but not very stiff, therefore a aluminum frame is needed

    6. Will it hold a screw? It will, but with movement it will open the hole bigger, need washer and design can be complex to mitigate its softness and flexibility. Flexibility is its greatest benefit. I run my canoe unto rocks all the time, only scratches.

    7. What does salt water do to it? Nothing, UV probably does more, but if you have the correct plastic with UV protectants not much. I have cracked a few in cold weather. Becomes more brittle over time.

    Hope this helps, was planing on making my own tender with it one time. Ran into molding required not only heat but a seal pressurized mold. Equipment was too expensive for a one off. Also Aluminum frame was going to be need. Went with aluminum frame, foam and fiberglass instead, covered by epoxy for seal and painted with polyurethane.
     
  5. rickthorn
    Joined: Oct 2008
    Posts: 20
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    Location: Philippines

    rickthorn Junior Member

    If it's an "ink blot" test...I see a replacement jeepney roof
     
  6. alaskamokaiman
    Joined: Oct 2006
    Posts: 67
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    Location: Palmer Alaska

    alaskamokaiman Junior Member

    Kach google Mokai boat it is HDPE I have one that is 6 years old left out in the sun and harsh Alaskan winters.
     

  7. mtay
    Joined: Mar 2009
    Posts: 1
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Canada

    mtay New Member

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