Subject: Ethanol and Fiberglass
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 1/6/2008, 5:54 PM
To: AARotary Engine


        >  >Does anyone have any information on the affects of 10% ethanol
       in gas on
        >  >fiberglass fuel tanks?
        >
        >  >Sandy McNabb
        >  >Glass Goose - Renesis
        >
        > Hi Sandy,
        > The latest info I have says to apply a uniform coat of
   vinylester or
        > epoxy resin over the original fiberglass. Care should be taken to
       cover
        > all areas throughly, you can tell by the shine - if there are
   any
       dull
        > spots the coating is too thin, be sure to get into any rib holes
       to seal
        > the edges. This info is based on auto gas which is currently
   10% max
        > ethanol, for blends like E-80 Doug Fir may have more info. He's
       on here
        > but in Nepal, if he doesn't respond ask again in about a
   month and he
        > may be available to respond.   Dave M.


       Sandy,

       This is antidotal since is not my 1st hand experience. A Circa VW
       powerd
       Nieuport in our chapter made an emergency landing on a highway,
       thankfully
       safe and sound. You guessed it the fuel, yes it affected the
       fiberglass tank
       had went with an aluminum post the incident. It happened to a
       Dyke-Delta-Rotary if my memory is correct.

       My Best,
       Anthony


   How about using Jeffco 9700..  I think it's supposed to be more chemical
   (ethanol) resistant than normal epoxy..



   Matt-


Sandy,

Lancairs use Jeffco 9700 as a fuel tank sealant.  But that isn't the
problem.  The problem is that the Jeffco 9700 is painted onto the fuel
bay surfaces prior to bonding the two wing halves together.  My concern
is whether or not the Hysol adhesive is affected by the alcohol.   There
has been much discussion on this topic on the Lancair group.  I use
mogas, but I check it for alcohol.  If it contains alcohol I don't use
it in the airplane.

Mark


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