REFLECTOR:STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE

[Scott Derrick]

I was told this by Brendan O'Riodan and one of the other mechanics, both 
A&P's at the Velocity factory. He said not to use the accelerated 
hardener because its strength was compromised, as all the fast cure 
systems are.

I've never built an entire airplane so my knowledge of this is limited, 
that's why I ask the factory people.  I did build my gear legs(Standard 
RG) using West Systems. Brendan said they would be fine, but they may be 
  just a bit more flexible.

I also talked with a West Systems customer service rep who "said" he 
knew of a couple composite planes built entirely with West Systems. Take 
it for what its worth.

As for the pot life of West Systems, they have a whole range of 
hardeners to control the cure rate, I think there are 4 different 
hardeners too choose from. If your trying to use their fast  hardener in 
a big thick lay-up you will have major problems. You need to use the 
slower hardeners.

Scott

Jeff Barnes wrote:
> Hi Scott,
> 
> I'm not sure that's an accurate statement, and it's potentially a very
> dangerous statement.
> 
> Can you name one Velocity so built, and who at factory said 100% West
> Systems is fine?  If they really said it, which West System product did
> they specify for which application ?
> 
> Can you name one Cozy or LongEZ built with 100% West Systems ? Have you
> asked Nat Puffer (Cozy), or Burt Rutan (LongEZ) about acceptable
> structural epoxy for their designs, or are we still relying on the
> Velocity factory A&P for those as well? 
> 
> Thanks,
> Jeff Barnes
> Velocity XL-RG
> 
> Scott Derrick wrote:
> 
>>There are a lot of Velocity's, Cozy's and LongEZ's built with 100% West
>>Systems.  The factory A&P's at Velocity say its fine. I was told that
>>its not that it is significantly weaker, its just less stiff.
>>
>>Scott
>>
>>richard@riley.net wrote:
>>
>>>At 05:53 PM 5/4/03 -0600, you wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>What kind do you like for easy, quick but very durable performance?
>>>
>>>
>>>In this order...
>>>
>>>Pro-set
>>>MGS
>>>Jeffco
>>>EZ Poxy
>>>PTMW
>>>
>>>But I do an amazing amount of work with WEST 206.  Even things that
>>>you'd think of as structural - like putting in bulkheads - is really a
>>>secondary bond.  WEST isn't as strong as the structural epoxies, but in
>>>most cases, where you're attaching one thing that's already been made to
>>>another thing that's already been made, WEST actually adheres better
>>>than the structural stuff.  Since the weak point isn't the strength of
>>>the epoxy but the strength of the bond, WESTcan, in those cases,
>>>actually end up stronger.
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>>
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