Thanks Pete. I am just about to embark on that route. I haven't called
them yet, but I am considering Fluoro Seal (http://www.fluoroseal.com)
if they are willing to take small jobs. They have a facility that is
within an hour driving from me.
On Sun, Jul 7, 2013 at 1:37 PM, Pete <peterz@zutrasoft.com> wrote:
>
> When I had my tank and cobra (re/post) fluorinated by an industrial outfit,
> they
confirmed it to be LDPE, fwiw.
>
> The finished treated tank had a severe frosted finish.... an indication that
the level of treatment was indeed higher than the factory's and I am hoping I
will have less swelling issues down the road.
>
> Cheers,
> Pete
>
>
> On Jul 7, 2013, at 1:20 PM, Andrew Sarangan <asarangan@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Thanks for all the ideas. The problem, as I understand now, is the
>> attachment mechanism, and not necessarily the swelling. If the tank
>> can be supported without bonding its surfaces, then it should be able
>> to relieve the stresses as it expands and contracts. That's what I am
>> gathering from these discussions.
>>
>> More puzzling is, it seems there is no agreement on what the tank is
>> made of. Just in the last few emails, I've heard Polypropylene, HDPE,
>> LDPE all mentioned, and Yerly's article says it is PTFE. I am somewhat
>> familiar with different polymers, and these are all very different
>> materials. I doubt it is PTFE because it is super expensive and
>> nothing will stick to it. I know a chemical test to identify different
>> polymers, but I would need a small chunk of the material. If I ever
>> figure that out, I will make sure to post my results here.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Jul 7, 2013 at 3:43 AM, Duncan & Ami <ami-mcfadyean@talktalk.net>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> The tanks are low density polyethylene, I understand. And they shrink back
>>> over time when left empty (but not in my experience by as much as the
>>> initial expansion). Fluoridated tanks may be different.
>>> The Kitfox company understood this problem in 1990.
>>>
>>> DMcF
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
>>> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of andrew cullum
>>> Sent: 06 July 2013 22:53
>>> To: europa-list@matronics.com
>>> Subject: Re: Europa-List: Fuel tank question
>>>
>>>
>>> --> <asc23111964@hotmail.co.uk>
>>>
>>> Hi Andrew,
>>> One question,have you filled your fuel tank with a mix of fuels you are
>>> going to
>>> use,and contained the tank with a sturdy wooden frame,and left it for at
>>> least 6 weeks? The poly-propylene apparently expands by about 10 per cent
>>> With the addition of fuel,this was in the old manual,but doesn't appear to
>>> be in the new one. Could it be that tanks that have cracked haven't had this
>>> pre-soaking? As for the cork at the bottom of the fuselage,sounds like a
>>> good idea,I'm sure that Bud can help you out. Best Regards Andy Cullum.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On 6 Jul 2013, at 20:47, "Andrew Sarangan" <asarangan@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> --> <asarangan@gmail.com>
>>>>
>>>> After a one year pause, I am getting back into building. I am near the
>>>> stage of bonding the fuel tank into the CM. I read a lot of
>>>> discussions about tank swellings and cracking, so I am a bit
>>>> concerned.
>>>>
>>>> Doing a google search, I came across a fuel tank mod document written
>>>> by Bud Yerly where he suggests using a cork pad in the fuselage to
>>>> support the tank. The details are a bit unclear to me, so I would like
>>>> solicit opinions from anyone who can give me some insights.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance!!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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