Materials Research (On Progress)

Expanded Polyolefin (EPO) - Foam

• Light type of foam

• Stiff and tougher than EPS

• Can be molded to be quite smooth

• In case of a crash, the foam will compress and if there is enough force, it will break along in the weakest areas

• If the crash is not severe, the parts can be easily glued back together

Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) - Foam

• A flexible type of foam

• Slightly heavier than EPO

• Almost indestructible

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) - Foam

• Normally used for packaging

• Contains ~95-98% air

Balsa Wood

• Incredibly lightweight properties

• Decently rigid and easily cut wood

• Used to build frames, wings, and tail

• Extreme care needed while using for construction

• Significant crashes result in a complete loss

Blow Mold Plastic

• This involves a closed mold process where a semi-molten plastic is blown and then cooled in order to retain the mold’s shape

• The result is a durable hollow shell

• Most used to create the fuselage

• Can withstand low force impacts and tends to dent as opposed to shatter