Paintball shell material

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10-15-2006, 06:49 PM
vf-xx

Paintball shell material

Question: What exact material are paintball shell's generally made of? I need to write a paper for my materials class and I want to do a little research on prolonging the shelf life of a paintball. I know that a large problem is that they absorb water and swell. I propose that there could be some coating put on the paintball that would prevent this or at least delay it, giving paintballs a longer shelf life. My biggest concern is environmental impact. Can't use plastic shelled paintballs because the plastic isn't biodegradable. Or at least I think it isn't.

Anyway, I was just looking for some material data so I can get started on this. Hopefully someone here knows, or at least knows who I can go ask (Manike).

If you're really intersted I can post the results of my paper after it's finished in a few weeks.

Thanks!
10-16-2006, 07:20 AM
Sumthinwicked

msg tom "AO TOMS WORKSHOP"he makes balls LOL for real im not busting your stones
10-16-2006, 07:43 PM
vf-xx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sumthinwicked

msg tom "AO TOMS WORKSHOP"he makes balls LOL for real im not busting your stones

I know that Tom either still owns, or used to own Perfect circle paintball. I did a quick serch for that username and phrasing, but I didn't find anything. Can you be more specific?

I wonder if you could put some sort of oil on a paintball that wouldn't be absorbed that would protect them from water for a while, but eventually wash away.

Barring that, maybe some dessicant powder or something. Chalk maybe? I think I need to do some tests.
10-18-2006, 11:48 AM
FlawleZ

I think its made from a Polyethylene glycol. Its hardened through different stages of drying after its a coherent sphere.
10-18-2006, 11:51 AM
geekwarrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by vf-xx

Question: What exact material are paintball shell's generally made of? I need to write a paper for my materials class and I want to do a little research on prolonging the shelf life of a paintball. I know that a large problem is that they absorb water and swell. I propose that there could be some coating put on the paintball that would prevent this or at least delay it, giving paintballs a longer shelf life. My biggest concern is environmental impact. Can't use plastic shelled paintballs because the plastic isn't biodegradable. Or at least I think it isn't.

Anyway, I was just looking for some material data so I can get started on this. Hopefully someone here knows, or at least knows who I can go ask (Manike).

If you're really intersted I can post the results of my paper after it's finished in a few weeks.

Thanks!

look on you tube, theres a short vid about how paintballs are made, it might help a little. :shooting:

here i found it for you how paintballs are made
10-19-2006, 08:47 PM
jhyanathan

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawleZ

I think its made from a Polyethylene glycol. Its hardened through different stages of drying after its a coherent sphere.

Polyethylene glycol is the main ingredient in the fill (along with food dye and sometimes wax), not the shell. The shells are typically made with gelatin (like a soft capsule medicine shell).
10-20-2006, 09:34 PM
Danimal82

Kind of pointless but ethylene glycol is basically antifreeze
10-21-2006, 04:29 PM
vf-xx

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekwarrior

look on you tube, theres a short vid about how paintballs are made, it might help a little. :shooting:

here i found it for you how paintballs are made

Thanks for the link.

Now comes the hard part. Finding out the material properties of a cured shell.