Interesting materials for Translam enclosures

[7V]

I'm currently experimenting once more with the choice of materials for my Translam (segmented, curved) enclosures.

I have been using MDF and that works well but I guess we're all bitten by the 'onward and upward' bug so I'm now planning to experiment with Baltic Birch Ply, MDF and Corian sandwiches.

Has anyone got any tales to tell or any other suggestions for good-sounding materials that I could add to the mix? I know that Dave (planet10) has previously said that Ply and MDF in combination can be less resonant than either on its own.

[sreten]

You could use vinyl flooring for damping in a multilayered composite.

Spruce ply is far cheaper than baltic, not as stiff but lighter.

A layered composite stiffness comes from the outside layer and
total thickness, so something like foamboard can also be used.

I'd go for light wieght and damping, so baltic birch ply outside
(for quality surface finish), vinyl, foam, vinyl, foam, spruce ply
inside layer would be an interesting composite.

sreten.

[RHosch]

IIRC, 7V's enclosures are made from vertically stacking section cuts... i.e., transverse laminated enclosure - translam. In that case there isn't an easy way to do "outer skin/core/inner skin" composites as is traditionally done.

Without a continuous skin as sreten describes, I'd be very hesitant to introduce a complete section layer that isn't stiff enough. That flexible boundary, mass loaded on either side, just invites resonance.

[7V]

Hi sreten

Foam, vinyl, rubber, etc. are fine for conventional enclosures but wouldn't provide the necessary stiffness for Translams where the layers go vertically.

I will wrap the translam with ply and then veneer so I could possibly use something 'foamy' there but I'm really talking about materials for the segments themselves.

Here is my Translam construction so you see what I mean.

Postscript: I've just seen RHosch's post which makes the same point.