X-Message-Number: 3160
From: 
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 94 20:30:43 EDT
Subject: SCI. CRYONICS cryostats

A few days ago Mike Darwin asked me about the expected life of the fiberglass
cryostats used by the Cryonics Institute. I said we didn't know, but had no
reason to think expected life is limited [for practical purposes]. I should
have added the following:

If either our epoxy fiberglass (inner) shells or our polyester fiberglass
(outer) shells were to deteriorate, presumably it would be through one of two
broad effects:

(a) There might somehow be a diminution of strength, leading to mechanical
failure under the atmospheric pressure. (The annular space is evacuated.)

(b) There might be some kind of porosity develop, leading to leaking.

But in either case, it is reparable on site. Either cracking or leaking--if
it should ever develop--could be fixed relatively easily by adding layers of
new fiberglass, either over all or patchwork.  

Robert Ettinger

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