Although my mantra of all things aviation is ...to manage the degree of
novelty...,
my shortcomings as a manager were revealed recently when I attempted to post
cure my custom made cowlings which Id made using a special high temperature,
fire-retardant resin.
The specsverified via email confirmation w/ the manufacturercall for a robust
post
curing protocol:
1 hr @ 150 degrees F., 1 hr @ 200, 1 hr @ 250, 1 hr @ 300, and 2 hrs @ 350
degrees
Fessential for achieving the (presumably desirable) hi temp & fire-retardant
attributes.
A pal who hand builds bicycles has a suitable oven used for powder coating which
has the requisite temp. range, controls, monitoring, and built-in timers
complete
w/ red lights and loud buzzers.
Nonetheless, halfway thru the cycle, after finding large blisters, deformation,
and some evidence of delamination, I promptly shut down the oven and removed
my top cowl.
Based on the pattern of blisters and deformation, its apparent that the
Last-A-Foam
stiffeners on the cowls interior did not take kindly to the high temperatures
during post curebut the truth is, I dont really care what caused the damagemy
goal is to salvage the cowl and continue reducing the number of days between
today and first flight.
As for post-curing my cowls, I am content w/ the notion that the heat generated
by the engine & exhaust will suffice.
Fred
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