Posted for "John Barrett" <2thman@cablespeed.com>:

 I assume you are talking about cowling attachments.  Aluminum pin is much
 too soft for this application IMHO.  If you use a pin large enough to engage
 the hinge with any friction at all, I don't think you could insert the pin
 without it's kinking.  If you can seen it, It will distort and work harden
 under the vibration load in use.  The real problem with aluminum hinges
 besides weight, difficulty of attachment and added weight of attachment is
 that the aluminum itself corrodes and degrades from vibration and exposure
 to the elements.  It work hardens making it brittle and it will distort and
 wear in the pin to hinge interface.
 
 We use piano wire in Carbinge for the stiffness and springiness.  Thus it
 can be applied as a tight fit application without the slop, vibration, wear
 and breakdown experienced with all aluminum hinges.
 
 Regards,
 John Barrett
 Barrett/Garrett Enterprises, Inc.
 PO Box 428
 Pt. Hadlock, WA 98339
 www.carbinge.com