Material for Aircraft 2

[Integrator62]

For aircraft please name some good (High Specific strength, cost efficient) material for Beams that will undergo both compression and bending.

Its like homebuild aircraft of about 10 ft in length and 50 kg in mass.

 

[rb1957]

2024T3

for homebuilds you want to use the cheapest, most available material. there's little advantage to using high strength materials (even 7075) because of cost.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Integrator62]

Is PVC box beam is good?

 

[dgapilot]

Wood! Been used since the beginning.

 

[rb1957]

wood is a good material, but we've lost most of the knowledge base (which woods to use when, strength of wood, etc).

PVC might work in your case if it readily available, and if you can characterise it (strength, bearing, ...)

would you PVC beam be a single piece (pre-molded) ? commercial available ?

if a built-up beam, how would you join the pieces together ?

do you plan to test this ? or just analyze it ??

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[dgapilot]

RB1957, for wood structures, ANC-18 and ANC-19 are the books with all the info one needs for design, inspection, and selection for building aircraft wood structures. Both books are still available, ANC-18 is on-line, and ANC-19 can be had from various sources. AC 43.13-1b also has a lot of info on wood as does CAM-18 and various other text books. Unfortunately A&P schools don't cover wood very much even though about 1/3 of the General Aviation fleet still consists of aircraft with wood structures.

Wood is simple to work, has excellent strength to weight properties, and easy to inspect and repair. Using the proper adhesive is important when using wood. For certified aircraft, the only approved adhesive is Resorcinol. Classic does have an approval for an epoxy adhesive, but there is a memo from FAA Aircraft Certification Services to DERs instructing us to not approve any repair or alterations using epoxy. I know a lot of homebuilders use adhesives like T88, but don't use it on certified aircraft.

Wood - The original Composite!

 

[Integrator62]

As far I know, PVC beam is available in market. Only screw joints are possible I guess in this case. But wood is excellent. Very easy to machining and Joining.

Thanks everyone