Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Ducati Monster Carbon fibre petrol tanks pt 2

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic22481.aspx

By expiredroadracer - 12/26/2016 6:55:22 AM

My questions to forum experts are:
I want to make a carbon fibre petrol tank, which will hold between 4 and 5 gallons of fuel (so about 30 to 40 lbs in weight of fuel) what would be the recommended lay up starting with the interior of the female mould?
Should I reinforce with Kevlar?
Since I will be making the top half of the mould in two parts and subsequently joining it to the one piece bottom part should I incorporate strengthening baffles bonded across the the inner surface of the top part of the mould?
What resin should I use as the final internal layer to prevent attack by ethanol in the petrol?
By Warren (Staff) - 1/3/2017 12:30:36 PM

The layup to an extent will depend on your own preferences, but typically on a curvy tank shape, 3 layers as a minimum would hold its shape, and 5-6 layers would be very tough and stiff. No reason why you can't incorporate a layer or two of kevlar if you wish for some impact protection.

As long as you design a overlap to bond the two halves together, then there is no reason why you would need a baffle from a composite perspective. From a fuel delivery perspective is another matter.  In car tanks, baffles would be recommended but I am not sure of the necessity for a bike tank.

We do not sell any tank sealers/liners ourselves but there are a few on the market aimed at composite tanks  - especially restoration of them. One such product isGTS 1750 which is sold by Caswell Europe.