Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

CF cowling for single engine aircraft

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic30786.aspx

By Gabacho - 10/22/2018 5:18:22 AM

Greetings, I am getting ready to place an order with you for the tools and supplies to build a mold of my upper aircraft engine cowling and would like some advice as to what CF cloth type, weight, number of ply's, filler, etc would likely give me give me a very light and strong part. This is a single wall cowling, there are no stiffening channels or reinforcements. The original is made from fiberglass and is approximate 3/16 of an inch thick.  Ideally I would like to end up with something significantly lighter and as strong or stronger than the original part. Can you suggest an appropriate CF cloth, thickness, weight, number of ply's and possibly a filler to sandwich between the CF ? If more information is needed for you to make a recommendation, let me know what you require.  Regards, Ed   
By Gabacho - 10/23/2018 8:04:49 AM


 
Hanaldo - 10/23/2018 4:13:59 AM
Perfect, then the info in my previous post is accurate.

Can is I ask, is the original cowling made from chopped strand fibreglass? Or woven fibreglass?


It appears woven, you can see a fabric pattern in a few places through the gel coat and a ruff inner cloth surface.  I am going to have to improve the fit and finish of the original cowling with something like modeling clay to be able to use it to make a good mold.as the original cowling is poorly made, fitted and constructed.