> Kevlar would probably be a better choice, but > figuring out how thick to make > it is way, way beyond what I can do. I suppose I'd > laminate x layers of > kevlar, wrapped completely in 2-3 layers of glass > (to give something to > sand), and bagged over a form. Or maybe filament > wound would be better. > Takes forever to wind about a mile of kevlar tow > around a couple of pins, > but you know the fibers are straight.
Actually, I wouldn't say that's a very good idea at all. Kevlar is not so good in compression and fails easily under buckling loads (comparatively speaking of course, the compressive strength is only about 40% of that of your 'glass, e-glass more specifically). In a cantilevered beam situation like a landing gear leg, since one side is always in compression (under load), you would have to make it abnormally thick sectioned on that side to support the stresses induced. Kevlar has it's places; high tensile loading members and parts that need vibration dampening, such as a cowling... for example... But not so much in a load supporting beam such as a landing gear leg. Matt ===== ------------------------------------------------- Matthew Elder Orangeburg, SC http://www.infinigral.com/melder My Airplane Project: http://kr1.infinigral.com
