Klarinet Archive - Posting 000769.txt from 1998/09

From: "Mark Charette" <charette@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Solid Aluminum Clarinets?
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 21:43:18 -0400

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
>>From Me:
>>Personally I'd like to see a composite graphite clarinet. Lightweight,
>>low thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, relatively easy to
>>manufacture, strong, and pretty easy to do finish work on (after
>>spinning, cutting, shaping, and boring).
>>
>>The finished product could look just like wood, too!
>
>Now there's an interesting idea. How does the raw cost of the material
>stack up? I don't get the chance to work with this material in my
field.

The cost would be dependent on the size & quality of the fiber, how it
was laid out (wound vs. longitudinal), and how many layers. Since a
clarinet is pretty thick, I'd probably talk to a few composite engineers
(there's quite a few where I live :) and ask about what quality & size
of fiber would go where, along with what kind(s) of resin should be
used.

Mark C.

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