Ballast wanted

[robind]

Given all the expected posts about using volvo engines etc )) I need 10 ton (well a friend of mine does) of suitable ballast for a large "unballasted at present" motor cruiser. I would welcome some assistance with locating some in the near future. not had too much luck with lift companies or Railways as yet.
Regards

Rob

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[ongolo]

Hi, where I live, we have a company that makes rebar cages for all the construction companies. they have lots of off-cuts which they sell as scrap.

select between 10mm and 25mm if you can get, pack them nicely paralel, smaller and larger section mixed to reduce empty spaces.

If you do a good job you can expect a density of 5 to 5.5. After trimming the boat, cast a cement soup over it or seal it any other way to prevent rust. If the rebar rust, steel expands 11 times when converted to rust and may crack the hull if blass fibre or bulge the hull badly if its a steel hull.

Cement manufacturer have large tumbling mills using steel balls as pulverising medium. These wear down and after a certain time when too small get sold, but I dont think you might get a density of 5. I may be wrong though, there is a mathematical puzzle about how many spheres can fit into a certain volume.

You could also try lead 11.3g/cm^3, depleted uranium 19g/cm^3 to be collected for free in Irak, gold or platinum at 21 and 22 g/cm^3. ))

regards ongolo


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[robind]

Great reply Thanks. it is a bit of a long way to go )) I like the suggestion re the "cement tumbler crushing balls" though not many for the pound? rebar would need shotblasting and two pack epoxy coating and possible encapsulating.
Thans again

Regards
Rob

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[richardandtracy]

When DU is used as the ballast material, remember that while it's not noticeably radiologically toxic, it is chemically toxic, so will need to be encapsulated.

Also DU Oxide flakes off like rust once it's more than 25 microns thick (which takes 25 days at 70%RH, 20C), causing particulate problems. Finally, DU dust is pyrophoric, so be careful of that swarf when you cut it to fit.

Also, for some reason I've never quite fathomed, customs get quite excited when they find you've got some - they seem to think it's a prohibited material for the general public.

Regards

Richard.


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[robind]

Oeoeer! the keel wont glow in the dark will it?
Rob

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[AuntyRinum]

I can't see Depleted Uranium catching on as a ballast material. People will worry about their family and crew getting Gulf War Syndrome.

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