Stainless sheet + Fiberfrax layer on bottom of Fuse?

[ERushing]

Have any RV-10 builders put a stainless + Fiberfrax layer on the bottom of the Fuselage under the pilot & co-pilot to provide some protection in case of an engine compartment fire?

I've searched but have come up with nothing. Build logs, pics, etc would me most appreciated.

Just starting to work on my QB Fuse and this is one of the add-ons I'd like to do as well as the stainless foil + fiberfrax on the firewall.

Thanks for any help!

[stamper]

I did the fiber and then second layer of stainless on the firewall. It turned out great. I would not do it to the underside of the fuselage for a couple reasons. One being weight that would be added would be a lot, two the bottom of the fuselage has 2 layers of metal already.

[ERushing]

Thanks! Did you insulate under the pilot/ copilot floorboards? I've got all the floor panels removed except for the pilot/ copilot. Just debating whether to remove them.

I'd prefer to not have anything down there that will outgas poisonous **** into the cabin in the event of a fire. But I'd also like to have a quiet cabin.

[johngoodman]

Originally Posted by ERushing

Thanks! Did you insulate under the pilot/ copilot floorboards? I've got all the floor panels removed except for the pilot/ copilot. Just debating whether to remove them.

I'd prefer to not have anything down there that will outgas poisonous **** into the cabin in the event of a fire. But I'd also like to have a quiet cabin.

I used Abesco FP200 - it's CFC free. I put it in via the lightning holes on the back of the floor under the seats. I'd do it again.

John

[aerhed]

A neck dotal data (pictures) imply that the bottom of the tunnel likes to burn out. Nothing wrong with building in a safety margin, but just remember that the vast majority of fires can be prevented with a wrench.

[Kyle Boatright]

One question is where you'd find thin (32 gauge or 0.010) stainless sheet to provide protection and minimize weight gain. The thinnest I have found without needing to buy an entire sheet is the 0.016 firewall material Spruce sells.

Personally, I think a thin stainless overlay on the belly makes sense. Moreso in a 4 place airplane.

[Ron B.]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

One question is where you'd find thin (32 gauge or 0.010) stainless sheet to provide protection and minimize weight gain. The thinnest I have found without needing to buy an entire sheet is the 0.016 firewall material Spruce sells.

Personally, I think a thin stainless overlay on the belly makes sense. Moreso in a 4 place airplane.

I think I purchased mine at McMaster Carr.

[DanH]

Originally Posted by aerhed

A neck dotal data (pictures) imply that the bottom of the tunnel likes to burn out. Nothing wrong with building in a safety margin, but just remember that the vast majority of fires can be prevented with a wrench.

True on both counts.

Yes, some builders have added a fiberfrax and SS overlay. Set aside the value of fire protection; the overlay will reduce tunnel and floor temperatures in normal operation.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Ron B.

I think I purchased mine at McMaster Carr.

If you can post a link, I'd appreciate it. All I can find at Grainger and McMaster are strips.

[David Paule]

You can save some weight by using titanium instead of stainless. It's recognized by the FAA (look under firewall materials in Part 23).

Grade 2 is much cheaper than the stronger Grade 5 and is adequate. I'll be using .020 Grade 2 titanium for my belly overlay on my RV-3; it'll save about three ounces per square foot compared to .016 stainless. McMaster sells this.

For the firewall, I'll use .005 Grade 2. This is available at www.titaniumgoat.com, a supplier of ultralightweight backpacking gear.

Dave