what kinda plastic is used for bladders?

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

if I wanted to build an inflatable structure, what kind of plastic would be good for the internal bladder? can i get a big roll of it--cut it up and melt the edges into any shape?
Any ideas? Thanks.

ps, I moved to LA, to go to school,
www.sciarc.edu
wind and surf have been good so far, though, not oregon good. I won't tell anyone though, so the secret's safe.
it actually rained all day here, people are freaking out.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Oct 15, 09 6:55 am

depends on the structure your building really. If you want the bladder to be rigid I would use something like ordinary visqueen or polyethelene and glue it together with 551? adhesive. Fold the edge of and clamp to make airtight.

If you need the bladder to conform to the internal shape of something (like an inflatable vagina perhaps) then you are going to need something more flexible like latex rubber.

There is an awesome table on this page that give you all the detail on plastics and welding/joining them.

http://www.geocities.com/reystos/inflatable/materials.html

Enjoy the land of LA! (and don't get too used to the skinny women, you'll have to come back to the PNW some time) Laughing

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Kites use tpu (thermoplastic urethane) 3-4 mil thick. It's the best thing for it.
It is generally bought by the roll from the manufacturer. A whole roll costs plenty, like hundreds of dollars (at least!) -but you could make a whole lot of whatever from it!

Hint:
If you call a bunch of salespeople from the 2 or 3 makers in the US, telling them you want to experiment with it for some new product you're inventing, a roll end of something like what you want may eventually show up on your doorstep. But no guarantees as to exact amount or specifications..... or when.. or if...

But if it doesn't need to be too durable, lesser plastics will do...

PS I hope you can use your structure for some some of "Partying."
Thats what school is for, right? Cool

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

barfly,
i heard they made the student's build the school, but I assumed it was a rumor! pretty funny, still a pretty do-it-yourself place.

monkeyboy,
thanks for that chart, that's exactly the kinda thing I was looking for.

bwd,
thanks for the donation idea. good call.

Not sure what we might build, but if it happens I'll post up. I'm thinking of a bridge or something that can support one or more people...

thanks again Very Happy

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

I hope you are thinking of making inflatable furniture...couches, overstuffed chairs, lounges.

I have a friend who buys those inflatable air mattresses. Within a year, the mattresses string leaks, that are impossible to find and fix. It would be nice if you could make an internal bladder, that could be put inside the outer shell of these air mattresses to give them a new life.

Another idea would be for you to make "joke airbags" for the passenger side of your car... could have lots of fun freaking out your friends.

Or a "fat suit"...go out to dinner and say "something is giving me gas", as you gradually pump it up, using one of those foot pumps, hidden under the table.