| Stainless Question [message #7524] Thu, 29 October 2009 14:04 UTC |
 |
|
What are the reflective properties of polished stainless steel prints?
The Mad Moder
michael@shapeways.com
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7547 is a reply to message #7524 ] Fri, 30 October 2009 19:54 UTC |
 |
|
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. But here is what I have found. This material is a composite of stainless AND bronze. This is different than an alloy. You can get very close to mirror finish, but you must realize the surface of this material is made up of areas with different hardnesses and colors. If you look at a prepared specimen under a microscope you can see the dispersion of the two materials. It is a matrix of two materials. Because of this fact it is not possible to bring it up to the same degree of polish when compared to solid wrought or cast stainless steel.
Also, because of the bronze inclusion, the color when polished, has a slight reddish yellow tint. Personally, I find this aspect appealing. I will also say that on small jewelry sized objects these limitations are hardly noticeable. If however you wanted to make a large polished plate (like a mirror) you would have fits trying to get it right.
-G
"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."
Leonardo da Vinci
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7548 is a reply to message #7524 ] Fri, 30 October 2009 20:20 UTC |
|
|
That pretty much answers it. I'm not looking for a mirror finish from it, but I drew a mini parabolic dish that I was hoping it would be reflective enough to light a match.
The Mad Moder
michael@shapeways.com
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7565 is a reply to message #7548 ] Sun, 01 November 2009 19:37 UTC |
|
|
I'm not saying that would be impossible, but the material would be very uncooperative.
Maybe better to try your hand at shaping some alloy 304 stainless sheet metal?
"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."
Leonardo da Vinci
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7576 is a reply to message #7524 ] Mon, 02 November 2009 13:40 UTC |
|
|
My other thinking was to make the shape in stainless so it could be used as a mold for Plexiglas or even glass.
The Mad Moder
michael@shapeways.com
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7625 is a reply to message #7576 ] Thu, 05 November 2009 18:25 UTC |
|
|
Vacuum formed plexi might make a good substrate for a mirror. I suppose you could print a female mold for this purpose. Then find someone to apply a mirror coating. Trying to cast or slump glass with a mold made from the SW stainless would be a disaster. Remember that this composite contains bronze, which melts at a much lower temp than the stainless component. The glass would fuse to the mold. Even if you used a release coating (boron nitride) the surface would still require grinding/polishing to turn it into a decent mirror. Look to find out how telescope mirrors are made. Better yet, find a ready made. This would be a whole lot cheaper. The reflector from a burned out mini halogen spotlight comes to my mind. The bulb is easy to remove and you are left with a condensing mirror with a small slot in the center. Perfect place to mount a target for incinerating something small.
I'm all for 3dp, but I also believe in appropriate technologies. If a chisel will work why bother with laser? Know what I mean?
"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."
Leonardo da Vinci
|
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7635 is a reply to message #7629 ] Fri, 06 November 2009 02:24 UTC |
|
|
If you were keen on it, you can vacuum metallize SLS. You'll have to impregnate with a resin in order to achieve the necessary surface finish. Its actually not too expensive either.
Problem remains that for a parabolic mirror to be any good it has to be perfect, and thats just something thats never going to happen with 3DP (yet, anyway).
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7639 is a reply to message #7524 ] Fri, 06 November 2009 14:14 UTC |
|
|
It would be hard to machine it perfect also. I Haven't seen a dish yet with a needle head focal point. But thank you for the vacuum metalized idea. May have to look into that.
The Mad Moder
michael@shapeways.com
|
|
|
|
| Re: Stainless Question [message #7686 is a reply to message #7524 ] Mon, 09 November 2009 13:42 UTC |
|
|
I watch those videos all the time 
The Mad Moder
michael@shapeways.com
|
|
|
Search
. I still haven't polished that thing up to see what I could get from it.
