We finally are solving the airbeam cap leakage problem. Anthony glued an endcap to the top of a bucket and submerged in under water. Much to our surprise air was defusing out all across the surface of the bulkhead itself. It looked like a giant Alka Seltzer tablet.
We painted the cap with a sealant, put it back in the test airbeam and pumped it up. It went up to 2.8 psi then the airbeam itself failed. There was a load bang and it went sailing across the room. This airbeam has taken a lot of abuse over the past few months of testing. There already was several patches and abrasions on the fabric. One finally let go.
Our next steps will be to sew a new airbeam, test the sealed caps, finish the seam reinforcement on the full airbeam rib, then test it to destruction.
John, you left out the part about you ending up flat on your back on the floor right after that loud bang! I think you must have developed those reflexes after working with rockets for a while.
You aren’t kidding – it was LOUD!
I’m working on a science exhibit that is an inflatable dome, may I ask what sealant you use?