what type of aluminum for nose rib?

Calvin25 · #1 08-13-2009, 11:34 AM

I'm rebuilding a nose rib for the vertical stab and i'm a bit of a noob on aluminum selection.

The VS rib vans uses in the kit is .030 thick.

If I where to guess, I would say 6061.. T? T3 to T6 just sounds like a good
robot movie.

I'm looking for some advice on material selection as well as a fast source in the south west.

Thanks- Bill

Auburntsts · #2 08-13-2009, 11:44 AM

Bill,
.025, maybe .032, 2024-T3 is what you want. I would think .040 is overkill and would just add weight. Van's uses .025 for the RV-10 VS nose rib.

Auburntsts · #3 08-13-2009, 11:54 AM

Of course, you could just buy a replacement for around $6 from Van's.

http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/parts.txt

Calvin25 · #4 08-13-2009, 12:03 PM

Typo, I ment .030 is what they used.

I made one out of .025 and it seems a little soft and flimsy. It was out of some alclad scrap included with the kit as a test.

2024 T3 .030 is probly what they used then?

The shape of the new nose rib is diffrent then the one supplied, for the fastback mod.

rbibb · #5 08-13-2009, 12:23 PM

2024-T3 is the alloy you want. Standard thickness is 0.032

You also want "CLAD" sheet - covered with few mills of 1000 alloy aluminum.

You could get away with out clad but you would have to clean and prime it extra well to prevent corrosion.

How big a piece you need? - I've probably got some scrap lying around the shop.

Richard

Calvin25 · #6 08-13-2009, 12:32 PM

Thank you, I sent you a PM.