<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
         <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
         <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

John Barrett,

you may want to reconsider chrome plating the gear legs. chrome in its raw
shiny form is very brittle. Even low levels of flexing on straining/flexible
part cracks the chrome at the interface. This creates a stress riser that
works its way down into the surface of the structural member and often
breaks parts over time (that is why chrome plated bumpers tend to start
cracking at their edges). I have read some reports that say chrome plating
is unwise, and in most cases not allowed on any structural member of the
aircraft. even if you could find a soft or otherwise compatible sub-surface
bond coating, You would need to be very careful in controlling its thickness
and hardness as well as assessing the new fatigue life of the member. also,
if you ever decide to sell the aircraft and it caused a failure, you might
be liable due to chromes known incompatibility on structural members. Just a
thought.

Scott

LML homepage:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html