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Chris;
You might want to take a look at Aerospace
Composite Products.
http://www.acp-composites.com/acp-bcs.htm They make composite fabric tubes out of a triaxial
cloth which can be stretched appx 3/8" in dia. They
are available in carbon fiber, fiberglass, and kevlar.
They also make a high temp epoxy which they say will
withstand exhaust temps. You can buy flexible styrofoam tubes for kids toys
ropes etc.in several diameters. Wal Mart and most
swimming pool suppliers sell them. They have a hole in
the center for a rope or whatever. Put some copper
tubing in the center hole. force it into whatever
contours you need, the copper tube will keep the
shape. Slip the composite tube over the outside wet it
out. When it cures, dissolve the foam and the copper
can be pulled out. Most important, let me know if it
works. I need to do it too.
John
On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 01:12:25 -0500 "Christopher
Barber"
<CBarber@TexasAttorney.net> writes:
I have seen some postings over the few years I have
been on this list
regarding making fiberglass runners for an intake
manifold, however, I am
unsure if anyone has actually made any and if not
why not. If I
understand it correctly they are paths for air and
would not require any
"structural strength, just need to be resistant to
the heat in the area
they are placed and direct the air properly. If
this is true, and please
correct me where I am wrong, why would fiberglass
runners not work. Is
it that there are not that many composite guys on
the list (just Mr.
Slade and myself?) and as a result are resistant or
not skilled in
working with fiberglass. Seems they would be light,
easy to form and get
into tighter places and do the job well. However, I
am not an engineer
and am concerned about obvious stuff I could easily
miss. I am not
skilled with any welding (even though my build
partner, David Staten, just bought a welder for us to learn with) so like
the idea of having
alternatives.
I am in the final stages of my Velocity airframe
construction (now in the
micro, sand repeat stage) and feel VERY confident in
my abilities with
fiberglass. What obvious stuff am I missing
regarding using high temp
epoxy to make well formed runners out of fiberglass.
Y'alls
input/insight is greatly appreciated. TIA.
All the best,
Chris Barber
Houston, GSOT
LoneStarVelocity.com
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