I've got a sample of cement curing now, with vermiculite added to improve insulation. I've also bored out another 50mm M6 brass bolt for use as a heater barrel. I'm making a 9 ohm heater element this time so we can reach higher temperatures. I fear we may pop a thermistor, but what the hey.
To insulate the barrel, I'm planning on using BBQ paint. This is a commonly available ceramic-filled paint based on high-temperature polyesters and is good up to 630C. The windings will be held down with plaster and fibreglass. There is a page on the Wiki covering the experimentation:
http://reprapdoc.voodoo.co.nz/bin/view/Main/HighTemperatureMaterials
Concrete and BBQ paint take some time to cure, however, so the results will take a few days to come through.
Vik :v)
Won't the plaster dehydrate and turn to plaster powder again?
ReplyDeleteNot significantly. Plaster of Paris actually undergoes a curing reaction like cement does. I have used it to mould lead articles, reusing the same mould repeatedly. Friction and rough handling will wear it away but it retains basic integrity. I hope the fibreglass may give more mechanical strength and avoid any cracking caused by thermal expansion of the wire heating element.
ReplyDeleteVik :v)