Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Motorcycle engine protection covers, material choice + layup?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic25710.aspx

By JamesC - 4/13/2018 4:18:06 PM

Hi everyone

Need to make set of motorcycle engine side cover protectors, mould making soon but just going through production layup option + material choice

Obviously they need to protect against impact so that the main engine cover doesn't crack/fracture but they also need to have some abrasion resistance when sliding down the track

I'm thinking 6 layers in total of 210g, 3 being 2/2 3k carbon + 3 being carbon Kevlar alterating with the carbon

Whas everyone's thoughts on this for protection strength, abrasion resistance + whether the actual cover will stand up to it too?

Cheers

James
By Warren (Staff) - 4/16/2018 8:55:54 AM

Kevlar is definitely a good idea. Combined with carbon for a some stiffness and hopefully it will absorb a bit of impact energy on the fall - saving the cover from cracking underneath and also the kevlar will provide abrasion resistance as the bike slides.  In an ideal world you would have a thin layer of dense energy absorbing foam between cover and composite piece to allow some deflection and energy absorption before it reaches the metal cover.  However I imagine finding something with a decent temperature rating may be the issue.