Firewall Insulation

[Kyle Boatright]

I'm looking for firewall insulation suggestions from builders who have aircraft with significant flight time. Why significant flight time? Because I want to go with methods and materials that have stood the test of time.

FYI, I installed firewall insulation per George Orndorff's recommendations when I built my airplane, but the stuff came loose repeatedly, so I finally pulled all of it out.

Without the insulation, the cockpit is noticably louder, and I'd like to address that issue without creating an ongoing maintenance issue.

[RV7Guy]

I bought the stuff from JC Whitney. It was cut to fit between the angles and cables. I used the non flammable 3M contact cement. Can't remember the number now. Been on for 2.5 years and nearly 400 hours in the AZ heat.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by RV7Guy

I bought the stuff from JC Whitney. It was cut to fit between the angles and cables. I used the non flammable 3M contact cement. Can't remember the number now. Been on for 2.5 years and nearly 400 hours in the AZ heat.

Pinning down the type of glue and the type of insulation would really help. Was the glue from an aerosol can, a tube, or just a paint can? How about the insulation - can you give a better description? Knowing them, I bet they have 50 different types of insulation.

[Bugsy]

I searched for a lightweight firewall foreward material similar to Kool Mat and came across a new product from the same company called Motor Armor. I am not an engineer and cant endorse the product beyond my personal experience but here is what I found.

I know a stainless steel firewall doesn't need any protecting but I wanted to add another layer for sound and heat dampening without the weight of cool mat. I know Without the weight it wont dampen nearly as much as kool mat.

The Motor Armor is a carbon fiber based product that has pressure adhesive included and is made for firewall forward use.

An amatuer flame test had the following results. I put a torch against the motor armor attached to thin aluminum and unprotected aluminum for 3 minutes. I didnt pick 3 min for any particular reason. The motor armor charred but didnt burn through and didnt sustain a flame.








I need some more material for the bottom portion. Looks cool except where it wrinkled on me.

[L.Adamson]

I've installed a carpeted & insulated floor, but I'm no longer interested in doing anything for the firewall. My ANR headsets simply get rid of the sound problems. Just another option.

As to a difference of heat and cool, the insulated firewall doesn't seem to make that big of a difference either.

L.Adamson ---- RV6A (flying)