Winter storing and the cold

[Gray E Fowler]

The epoxy will get brittle at those temps, but is not permanently 
affected. When it warms up, it goes back to normal. So while the fuse is 
zero degrees F, do not impact it with a hammer!
The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the epoxy fiberglass fuse is 
about 6.5 X10-6 in/in degrees F.  Consider that any epoxy bonded things 
also gets brittle and then could get stressed by the shrinkage. The 
biggest stress would be on the elevator servo if connected to the stab 
using a carbon fiber push rod. The CF push rod has a CTE of zero, and it 
is long. That combined with the embrittlement of the adhesive holding the 
rails on could cause a problem. Simply disconnect  the pushrod on either 
the elevator or the servo-or purchase an all carbon fiber fuse airplane 
from Aeroslave-the time you save in not disconnecting that worrisome push 
rod is well worth it-not to mention trim change problems during 
temperature fluctuations......



Gray Fowler
Principal Chemical Engineer
Composites Engineering




mike mueller <mups1953 at yahoo.com>
Sent by: discussion-request at nsrca.org
11/24/2003 09:31 AM
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        Subject:        Winter storing and the cold


 Do any of you store your pattern planes in an unheated garage during the 
winter? Of course I live in Chicago and the weather will more than likely 
dip below 0 degrees a few times. I have a fiberglass fuse. As long as I've 
flown I've never tried it. Is there any potential for it to be harmed? I 
have flat run out of room in my workshop and my wife is tired of my planes 
laying all over the place. Thanks in advance, Mike Mueller
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