COMPOSITE WING GLASS

COMPOSITE WING GLASS
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COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 2:34:52 AM

filtr-RCU

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HI FOLKS

I WAS WONDERING IF ANY CAN HELP ME. I HAVE A SET OF MOLDS MADE FOR A PATTERN SHIP. I WAS WONDERING IF SOME ONE KNOW WHAT WEIGHT OF CLOTH THAT IS BEING USED AND AND WHAT WEIGHT OF BALSA PEOPLE ARE USING FOR A WING.

RON

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 3:33:22 AM

Mluvara

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I believe in general, 2.5oz on the outer layer and 1.5oz on the inner layer is pretty typical, with reinforcements where necessary.

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 7:30:57 AM

combatpigg

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I just built a plane with 1/2 oz cloth on the surface [first layer] , followed up with 2 oz cloth for the second layer. In some places you will want to use a third layer of 2 oz cloth. The balsa sheeted foam wing is typically done with either 1/16" or 3/32" thickness wood. I GORILLA GLUED a pair of aluminum engine mounts in.

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 1:10:20 PM

Ed Smith

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Assuming this is a fairly large pattern airplane with a big fuselage. The first layer in the fuselage mold should be 2 oz cloth. This will prevent SOME of the inevitable pinholes. Follow this with two layers of 6 oz cloth. An aditional partial layer of cloth or carbon cloth could be used ahead of the wing to stiffen up the engine end. If you have carbon tow then wind some into a string and mold in at strategic high stress points. This method adds enormous stiffness and strength for very little weight. See picture.

If the wing is ordinary white 1lb foam I would recommend 3/32 wing skins. If the wing is heavier foam and/or has a spar system then thinner skins may be OK.

Ed S

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 5:40:23 PM

Mluvara

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I think I misunderstood your first post and responded for building a hollow core wing. oops.

Ed's suggestions are good for a fuselage layup.

< Message edited by Mluvara -- 3/20/2005 5:42:34 PM >

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 6:01:33 PM

filtr-RCU

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No it is a hollow core wing.

Ron

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 7:30:04 PM

Mluvara

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In that case, 1/16" balsa with the 2.5 oz outer and 1.5oz inner is appropriate. Some opt to do different things around the ailerons (if they are skin hinged). And appropriate reinforcement (carbon tow, glass tow, etc) around the spar is necessary.

There's a few threads around here in the composite forum regarding composite wing construction.

Michael

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 8:18:06 PM

Deadstik

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Ron,

Ed is right on the money as far as a fuse layup including the carbon fibre tow to increase strength with very little weight. His "formula" is the same as I use to layup my pattern ships.

Dan

Carolina Custom Aircraft

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 10:41:54 PM

combatpigg

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The reason behind leading off with a first layer of tight weave, .5 oz cloth is so you won't see the heavy weave[of 2 oz cloth] and need so much heavy filler to finish the surface with. This method saves weight and has some structural value vs relying on dead weight fillers.

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/20/2005 11:10:15 PM

filtr-RCU

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I am planning painting in the molds. If you look at the fuse in info that fuse is painted in the mold. Just moving up to the wings.

Ron

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/21/2005 2:49:29 AM

SCALECRAFT

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If this is what your trying to do.

This model, of a 65"span Typhoon is layed up with aprox 5.0 oz glass with composite reinforcements. It is a free atmosphere layup. No bagging. The entire airframe, hollow wing set up for retracts, comes it at 3.25lbs.

Hope this helps

Steve

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/21/2005 1:46:32 PM

daven

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On my Q500 wings, I'm using 1.4 oz on the outer layer, a 2nd layer of 2 oz over the hinge and trailing edge, then the rohacell 2 mm, and then a layer of .7 on the inside. On the bottom I add a piece of light CF cloth about 8" at the TE and fanning out to about 14" at the LE.

I paint in the mold also, and 1.4 oz is plenty light to get a good finish.

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/22/2005 2:04:09 PM

esamart

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Steve!

You have quite a lot of work on your Typhoon? Anyhow I do not see any wing spar in the center section. I am afraid it wont take many G's to fail. Before flying I suggest you to make simple stress-test usinh bags filled with sand.

That type of construction is also prone to engine vibration. It sounds like a drum so glue seams fail in time.

Sandwich construction with designed carbon fiber spar/shear web would be a way to go in future. I hope you can use your current molds.

Esa

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/23/2005 2:31:14 AM

SCALECRAFT

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Esa

I see your point that it may be difficult to see the spar. So I'll make it a bit easier to see the concept we use. This is an 11 year old concept. It is fool proof and yet economical. In the 11 years we have been flying these hollow composite wings, we have yet to have an in flight failure. In fact, the corsair wing construction you see has been crashed 4 times with only retract damage and not the concept failing even on impact. I flew it yesterday.

Although not indestructable, they are very durable.

Vibration. Epoxy resin can resist vibration much better than polyester. We use only epoxy. Aramid is also used, it acts as a viration dampner(spelling?) on real airframes.

If I missed your point please post pics if your wings and fuses, I'm always willing to learn.

Any questions or comments please don't hesitate.

steve

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RE: COMPOSITE WING GLASS - 3/23/2005 4:06:43 AM