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We're looking for people to help with the main blog. If you are consistent, knowledgeable and you're into it, please drop me a note.
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Prasad
 Fresh Boarder
Posts: 10 
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I'm not entirely positive that this is on topic for this newsgroup, but it seems like an appropriate place to ask.
What materials are used for gas envelopes for lighter than air craft? This includes hot air and helium balloons, and hot air and helium blimps/dirigibles.
I would like to start *thinking* about building an LTA craft, and I'm more than capable of generating gore patterns, etc. But, materials choice is going to be important, so I want to defer to the experts...
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Hecuba
Fresh Boarder
Posts: 11
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Hot air balloon fabric is mostly rip stop nylon for the lower, below equator line fabric. Above the equator is hyperlast, another fabric with similar properties as rip stop, but lasts longer, and is less porous (the wear in a hot air balloon is above the equator). Nomex is used around the mouth and scoop for its flame retardant properties, but doesn't hold air.
Weight wise, the ripstop is lightest, then hyperlast, and finally nomex.
I worked for Airship Industries back in the late 80's and If I could find my manuals, I'd give you the layer by layer breakdown on the Airship 600 Blimp (helium) fabric. The fabric is multi layered and coated. The wieght is signifigantly more than both rip stop or hyperlast. This is for strength as there is more pressure on the fabric in a blimp than on a hot air balloon.
Hot air airships I have seen use rip stop and/or hyperlast. They cant fly very high due to the pressure inside and will rip open at the most inoppertune times if over pressurized due to altitude.
Hope this helps. I'll try to find the blimp manuals, but I have a feeling they are in a box back at the old house.
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