P3PPY
P3PPY GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
1/12/25 4:12 p.m.

As the title implies, at what scale does aluminum foil replicate the strength of a full scale car, esp regarding crash dynamics?

Just thinking it would be cool to make little aluminum foil cars and wreck them, is all.

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter)
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/12/25 5:05 p.m.

In reply to P3PPY :

Not an engineer, but I think the mass of the scale vehicle, and the chassis/unibody/internal structure would also need to be scaled as well. 
 

That said, my gut says you'd be in a range near H.O. scale(1:87) or slightly above. 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/12/25 5:22 p.m.
P3PPY said:

As the title implies, at what scale does aluminum foil replicate the strength of a full scale car, esp regarding crash dynamics?

Just thinking it would be cool to make little aluminum foil cars and wreck them, is all.

I used to do this as a little kid!

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/12/25 5:31 p.m.

It's totally different from the sheet steel in a production car, but I'd guess it's somewhere between HO and Micro Machine size.

If you just want to simulate cars crashing at home, also look into BeamNG.

j_tso
j_tso SuperDork
1/12/25 5:39 p.m.

I think you could simulate the body parts, but not a whole car.

This thread brought to mind monster truck toys that had a die you put foil over to shape it into a car to crush.

The History of Hot Wheels Crushed Cars – LamleyGroup

A 401 CJ
A 401 CJ GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
1/12/25 6:52 p.m.

BeamNG has gotten pretty doggone realistic.

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