From: John Kim (kim_at_stormhaven.org)
Date: Wed May 05 1999 - 13:07:45 EDT
On Tue, 4 May 1999, Bill Morrow wrote:
> The 700 series.. (700 through 770) are not plastic, but some other
> material.. i forget what its called...
> most likely some sort of carbon fiber material thats lighter and stronger
> than "mere" plastic..
> then the paint is a rubberized material..
> i understand that IBM spent some time developing this paint..
CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) is usually what it's
called in the composite materials industry. I'd be curious
though if they're using polyester (which is cheap) or epoxy
(which is expensive but better). It is basically plastic with
fibers mixed in to add strength. Like adding straw to mud
bricks.
> note that "mere" plastic is an amazing and wonderful material and was quite
> expensive when it was being developed some years ago..
> the 560 is a nice example..
>
> plastic has become synonomous with cheap, when it should really not be
> so... :-)
With the thin form factor becoming more popular, the problem
with plastics and composites is that they're both very
flexible. That's why the ultralights had to go with magnesium
(metal) alloy cases. Metals are much stiffer for a given
strength. The downside of that is that if you hit metal hard
(like drop your notebook), it deforms (dents). The "cheap
feel" of plastic means it'll just bend and spring back, as
some automakers have discovered with their dingless door
panels.
-- John H. Kim kim_at_stormhaven.org
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