Is it possible to construct a drone frame using aerogel to save weight, or would its properties make it impractical? Specifically, could it withstand vibrations, dynamic stress, and the weight of components during flight?
Aerogel is brittle and not flexible. Drones require a rigid and durable frame, which is why carbon fiber is typically used.
Phoenix said:
Aerogel is brittle and not flexible. Drones require a rigid and durable frame, which is why carbon fiber is typically used.
The drone’s props alone might rip the frame apart due to vibrations and stress.
@Thorne
I think the aerogel frame would probably disintegrate as soon as the drone takes off.
Kai said:
@Thorne
I think the aerogel frame would probably disintegrate as soon as the drone takes off.
That would be interesting to watch in slow motion.
Phoenix said:
Aerogel is brittle and not flexible. Drones require a rigid and durable frame, which is why carbon fiber is typically used.
Aerogel is very brittle and would likely fail under flight conditions.
Phoenix said:
Aerogel is brittle and not flexible. Drones require a rigid and durable frame, which is why carbon fiber is typically used.
It’s extremely fragile, so it wouldn’t work for structural components.
Phoenix said:
Aerogel is brittle and not flexible. Drones require a rigid and durable frame, which is why carbon fiber is typically used.
I bought a small piece of aerogel out of curiosity. It feels like pumice stone but crumbles into fine powder with light pressure. Impressive material, but not practical for drones.
Phoenix said:
Aerogel is brittle and not flexible. Drones require a rigid and durable frame, which is why carbon fiber is typically used.
You could look into printable drone frames made from strong materials like PET-CF or PA12-CF, which are more practical for light and durable builds.
Aerogel would likely be too weak to handle the stress on a drone. Carbon fiber is a much better option for a lightweight and durable frame.
Lin said:
Aerogel would likely be too weak to handle the stress on a drone. Carbon fiber is a much better option for a lightweight and durable frame.
That’s why most high-performance drones, including DJI models, use carbon fiber.
@Clarke
Exactly. Carbon fiber is standard in most modern FPV and performance drones.
Vann said:
@Clarke
Exactly. Carbon fiber is standard in most modern FPV and performance drones.
Good to know. Thanks for clarifying.
Lin said:
Aerogel would likely be too weak to handle the stress on a drone. Carbon fiber is a much better option for a lightweight and durable frame.
Could aerogel be used for aesthetics, or is it so brittle that it would fail under the weight, vibrations, or stress of the drone?
@Emory
Aerogel doesn’t handle vibrations well. Think of it like foam made from glass. It’s brittle and not suited for structural applications, but it’s an excellent insulator.
@Emory
Aerogel would likely fall apart under the dynamic forces during flight. If aesthetics are your goal, consider clear plastics. For performance, you want a high strength-to-weight ratio, which carbon fiber provides. Aerogel’s strength is in insulation, not durability or strength for drones.
Just stick with carbon fiber. Frames like the five33 Lightswitch V2 Ultra are great for lightweight builds.
Could mixing graphene with aerogel create a super-light but strong material for drones?
Mica said:
Could mixing graphene with aerogel create a super-light but strong material for drones?
It already exists and is called aerographene. Learn more here.
@Emory
That’s interesting. I wonder if it could be used to build functional drones.