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Post by TINA on May 15, 2019 5:41:30 GMT
How to check the humidity of the balsa wood core in a sandwich deck non-destructively?
Does anyone have a recommendation?
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Post by sailbleu on May 15, 2019 8:34:16 GMT
You can google several dozen brands , pick your choice . Regards  |
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Post by TINA on May 15, 2019 8:58:03 GMT
Hello, Sailblu.
Thank you very much for your info.
I googled these meters, but don't know if the moisture under the laminate (the wood core) can be measured?
Uwe
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Post by rene460 on May 15, 2019 9:44:17 GMT
Hi Tina,
Such meters are available from specialist wood working tool stores, as they are used to measure the moisture content of timber for fine furniture making. They seem to work on a conductivity measurement, and have two probes which are put on/in to the wood.
I don’t think it can be measured through the fibreglass. However, with two small holes the right distance apart on the inside of of the hull, I presume the measurement can be made. Preferably behind the interior liner somewhere where it is not visible, and it could even be resealed without worrying too much about cosmetic issues.
May I ask why you feel the need to do the measurement? And what you will do with the information?
rene460
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Post by TINA on May 15, 2019 10:13:04 GMT
Hello, Rene.
Thanks for the info.
Since the teak deck is screwed, I fear that moisture has penetrated into the sandwich core.
I intend to replace the TeakDeck with a synthetic product. However, I only want to do this if the core is undamaged.
A renovation of the core would be too costly for me.
Best regards
Uwe
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Post by MalcolmP on May 15, 2019 11:42:09 GMT
Hi Uwe
Understand why you do not want to do a "destructive test" from the top, but maybe you can access from below if you remove some of the headlining and take a core sample, especially in the high risk areas for example around the mast step
This video from Sail Life on his Warrior 40 indicates that a moisture meter should be able to indicate the humidity through fibreglass. Hope it is not bad news...
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Post by johannes on May 15, 2019 12:18:46 GMT
You need a moisture meter that can measure with radio waves inside the material. I would try to find a company that specialises in moisture measurements and talk to them.
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Post by TINA on May 15, 2019 15:25:22 GMT
Many thanks to all of you for the information.
I will look for an appropriate company and have the area at the foot of the mast examined.
So far I do not have any wet spots, leaking windows or sunken mast support.
I would like to prevent in any case a complex repair like on Sail Life.
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Post by MalcolmP on May 15, 2019 18:53:46 GMT
....I would like to prevent in any case a complex repair like on Sail Life. Absolutely agree, think the Warrior was a worst case scenario. Just gave the link really about the moisture meter being able to penetrate the GRP skin Good luck |
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omoo
Full Member
Posts: 33
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Post by omoo on May 25, 2019 23:17:06 GMT
I've often wondered if a camera that takes thermal images would work to identify compromised deck areas. If the interior of the boat is heated to a temperature warmer than ambient the heat loss will be higher at the wet areas and the camera should show this.
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Post by geitz on Jun 16, 2019 12:33:08 GMT
You need a moisture meter that can measure with radio waves inside the material. I would try to find a company that specialises in moisture measurements and talk to them.
link |
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