Polycarbonate Tubing

[ammosmoke]

Do you think that is would be OK to use clear polycarbonate tubing instead of clear pvc for a combustion chamber? It is WAY cheaper, (at USPLASTIC.com) and appears to be better suited for the job. It is shockproof, just about unbreakable, and has service temperatures from minus 40 degrees farenheight to plus 240! 4in is only $11.19 a foot vs. 20.95 a foot for clear pvc. What do you think

[frankrede]

Lmao.You stole my site.
If it is strong then it should be good.
Get it thick sch40 or 80.
Propane?Iffy, idk, do a few remote firings

[ammosmoke]

Dude, you directed me there remember? I already had stumbled on it before, but I couldn't remember the name. They don't have SCH ratings......... im confused.

[frankrede]

The site has sch 40 and 80, it says Not recommended for pressure above 20 psi applications.

-Edit-
Nevermind that was for polycarbonate.
But I see they sell plastic welders for Pvc?
Hmm
I wonder.
Maybe a good way to do some custom work?

[ammosmoke]

Where does it say that!!?? Take no offense, but that does not sound right. I did some research, and Polycarbonate has serious shape retention properties despite the fact that it is very hard. They make those nalgene waterbottles with it. (Actually those bottles are cheap polycarbonate.)

SOMEBODY prove me wrong before I use it and blow pieces of plastic into myself if it isn't suitable.


By the way, Im not sure what plastic welders are, but they sound very interesting! I bet you could heat the welding rod to make trigger guards and handles! that would be cool!

[carlbelcher]

The simple fact that polycarbonate tubing is NOT pressure rated should be enough to prove that you shouldn't use it in pressure applications.

[frankrede]

Maybe you could use the plastic welder to reinforce joints?
But anyways like my post said, i made an error, those stats were for something different.
They sell clear pvc on that site at a reasonalble price, maybe you should think safety over price?
But it probably would work fine in a combustion.
I havent handled polycarbonate so i wouldnt know.
But eh try it.

[ammosmoke]

Well, I am probably going to use it, if I can get my dad to order some that is...... (I don't have a credit card or paypal) But, I am going to fire from a distance because you said to lol. But, I really think that we might have a new material here.

And It is certified, they just don't tell sch ratings, they tell you the thickness of the walls though. They actually have a thickness comparable to pvc sch 80, and considering how strong polycarbonate is.......

Look at it this way, a slightly upgraded version is used for bulletproof glass.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/produc ... 5Fid=24993

[POS]

Those tubes are also used in waterrockets. I used them. They can withstand some pressure, i used them at 100 psi, no worries. Probably they can have much more.

[Gnobbes]

That's pretty interesting stuff. Do you know what it's actually manufactured to be used for? I'm curious what kinds of places might actually carry this stuff on hand...

[boilingleadbath]

Polycarbonate has a much higher impact strength than PVC, so it won't break into nearly as many fragments as PVC would.
...just thought I'd mention it.

[ammosmoke]

Sweet! I can use it! We have a new, cheaper, better substitute for clear pvc!

Gnobbes, go to the link in my previous post, there you can buy some.
I know that polycarbonate it is used for a lot of very high demand stuff, such as jet fighter cockpits.