Composition of car body.

[pauljohn]

I am trying to find out what would be an adequate hand lay-up of a car body. A company making replicas told me they use three layers of 2oz mat with vinylester resin. This seemed a little weak to me.

Would you agree this was stiff enough for a non-stressed panel? Or does it depend on the size/shape and how flat it is? (I understand that curved panels are stiffer than flat panels)

Thanks for any help.

Paul

 

[pauljohn]

I'm suprised I haven't recieved an answer. Am I in the correct forum?

 

[berkshire]

pauljohn (Marine/Ocean)
You are in the right forum, your question is not specific enough to give you a straight answer.
However, what you are mentioning, 3 layers of 2 oz chopped strand mat would be adequate for a car with a spaceframe construction, but not, for a unibody construction.
B.E.

 

[pauljohn]

Thanks for the reply berkshire. I was talking generally about a car body. I realise that hoods, doors etc. would require reinforcing also where fittings attach. What other details could I supply?

 

[berkshire]

pauljohn (Marine/Ocean)
If the whole body is made from fibre glass, this would be a uni body type construction. In this case 3 layers of 2oz mat would not be strong enough without additional reinforcing at corners of door frames, wind shield pillars, engine mount points, suspension attachments etc..I am attaching a link to a website which answers basic questions on fiber glass construction

http://www.fibreglast.com/contentpages-fundamentals-41.html

You can then come back here to ask further questions.
B.E.

 

[microthene]

vinylester is very strong, if the panel is .187" thick
this would be about 15% glass by volume, that would be stiff enough for a non-stressed panel. if the part is .125" thick, you will have an real strong panel.