Carbon fiber panel

[Ron B.]

Can a carbon fiber panel be modified with epoxy and fiberglass cloth? Small change.

[flyboykelly]

in short yes. If your carbon fiber panel will be touching any aluminum surface there should be a layer of fiberglass between them.

[jsharkey]

Cutting and reinforcing on the back with fiberglass might work. Otherwise although strong I suspect it will look ugly.

Jim Sharkey

[Transporter]

Your post doesn't indicate whether this is a structural mod, but the short answer is yes, you can modify/repair a carbon fiber structure using epoxy and fiberglass cloth.

However, the appearance and strength will definitely not match the carbon fiber since the carbon fiber adds a tremendous amount of stiffness to the structure (and strength, based on the direction of the fibers).

Carbon fiber cloth is available from a number of sources in a variety of weaves (unidirectional, twill, etc.). As an example, see:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...=373&page=GRID

Depending on whether or not your mod will be visible (and need the strength), you might consider using carbon fiber, or a combination of carbon fiber and fiberglass cloth in your mod.

It's also possible to dye your epoxy using black pigment to create faux carbon fiber. Strictly an appearance option (and it won't match exactly...but can come close, depending on pigment and technique). For an article on adding pigments to epoxy see:
http://westsystem.com/ss/adding-pigments-to-epoxy/

Good luck,
Mike

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by Ron B.

Can a carbon fiber panel be modified with epoxy and fiberglass cloth? Small change.

If you are talking about the Aerosport carbon fiber panel, the answer is yes. How you apply the fiberglass and epoxy may vary depending on what you are attempting to accomplish.

I'm also assuming that you're going to paint the panel, since the modication would be obvious using different materials.

I would recommend given Geoff a call to discuss the specifics. I'm curious, what are you going to modify?

bob

[RV7Guy]

Need to know if you are going to fix the front that is visible or the back side that isn't. The panel was probably either laid up from a mold or vacuum bagged. It might be tough to recover the finish on the front.

I have a carbon panel in my 7 that was vacuum bagged. It is 3 layers of 45 degree biased CF and 2 layers of Fiberglass. It is an overlay over the modified original panel fastened with 6-32 stainless socket screws with aluminum anodized shoulder washers from the RC helicopter department.

Regarding the carbon to aluminum deal. This another one of those issues that someone came up with (like the zip ties sawing an engine mount in half) that nobody can show me any quantitative evidence that this is a real problem. In my case, my carbon panel is an overlay. The glass was used to gain thickness in the panel because it is many times cheaper than carbon.

If you are using carbon as an overlay that is fastened to a panel it is certainly not an issue. If you are really concerned, put a some UHMV tape on the aluminum and call it done.

I'm at work and Imageshack is blocked so I can't post a picture of my panel.

[flyingbeaver26]

Originally Posted by flyboykelly

in short yes. If your carbon fiber panel will be touching any aluminum surface there should be a layer of fiberglass between them.

Any explanation for this? Will the CF wear into the AL with vibration?

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by flyingbeaver26

Any explanation for this? Will the CF wear into the AL with vibration?

Carbon can cause a chemical reaction when expose to the aluminum over a period of time. This is why most folks are taught to use a sharpie instead of a pencial when marking parts.

The carbon fiber on the panel is embedded in epoxy, which I would think isolate the carbon from the aluminum inserts.

[RV7Guy]

[quote=rleffler;401220]Carbon can cause a chemical reaction when expose to the aluminum over a period of time. This is why most folks are taught to use a sharpie instead of a pencial when marking parts.

/QUOTE]

Hey Bob,

Not picking on you here, but this is the myth that has been perpetuated that no one can prove. It has been mentioned a few times on the Internet so it must have become fact. Probably started by gmcjetpilot Hope I didn't wake him

I spoke with an Aeronautical Engineer who works with Boeing Helicopter in Mesa. They use lots of composites. He's a RV6 owner and is building a 7. When confronted with this question, he stated that the next set of dinosaurs will be roaming the earth when a carbon to aluminum mating would become an issue in our planes.

As noted, it isn't raw carbon anyway.

[Ron B.]

Thanks for all the replies. I did call Geoff and it's OK to do my mod. I want to install rocker switches just like Geoff has, but I also want to install more on the co-pilot side. There isn't enough height so vola the mod. We will be painting the front and what's hidden shouldn't be too sitely.I wasn't planning on priming the alum. backing plate for the carbon fiber panel but probably changed my mind.