[TheFarmer]

Any LAA’ers out there who have knowledge of the Lexan type material that’s fuel-proof (in case of spillage) and quite flexible?

I bought some a few years ago but can’t recall the name of it. I think it was 0.5mm thick.

[Rob L]

I recall you once arriving at my home field with crazed glazing from a Mogas spill; that was because your door glazing was made of Lexan (Plexiglass).

What you need is Acrylic.
Hope that helps,
Rob

[Edit: a bit more than 0.5mm thick for aviation use]

[ThePipster]

Any LAA’ers out there who have knowledge of the Lexan type material that’s fuel-proof (in case of spillage) and quite flexible?

I bought some a few years ago but can’t recall the name of it. I think it was 0.5mm thick.

PetG was the stuff.

Pipster

[TheFarmer]

Pipster and Rob

Thanks. That’s the stuff.

[Boxkite]

I recall you once arriving at my home field with crazed glazing from a Mogas spill; that was because your door glazing was made of Lexan (Plexiglass).

What you need is Acrylic.
Hope that helps,
Rob

[Edit: a bit more than 0.5mm thick for aviation use]

According to this site Plexiglas is acrylic:
https://www.plexiglas.com/en/about/

Plexiglas=acrylic=Acrylite=Lucite=Perspex.

Lexan=polycarbonate=Makrolon
https://www.acplasticsinc.com/informati ... vs-acrylic

[Kemble Pitts]

The issue with polycarbonates (Lexan, etc.) and fuel manifests itself when the material is under stress. Its (almost) analogous to stress/corrosion cracking in aluminium alloys.

I've not tried this but...

If you take your flat sheet of Lexan and bend it to the shape you want, and then heat it so that it takes that 'set', you've effectively stress-relieved the material. That should make it much more resistant to crazing when covered in petrol.
Maybe using electric blankets as the heat source?

Try it on an off-cut and with a heat gun and then fuel-test it.

As has been mentioned, acrylic (Perspex, etc.) is not prone to this problem but is nowhere near as strong or tough as polycarbonate (which is used to make riot shields). so you'll end up replacing it for other reasons, maybe.

[Boxkite]

Another problem with polycarbonate is the lack of resistance to scratching, even from dust in prop blast.
I have seen the result of mogas spillage on the tightly curved areas and it ain't pretty
Apparently it doesn't happen with Avgas?
Maybe PetG is the answer?

[Rob L]

According to this site Plexiglas is acrylic:
https://www.plexiglas.com/en/about/

Plexiglas=acrylic=Acrylite=Lucite=Perspex.

Lexan=polycarbonate=Makrolon
https://www.acplasticsinc.com/informati ... vs-acrylic

You are correct! I won't amend my post in order not to confuse the posts!

Makralon is used in (for example) CNC machine tool guards where visibility is required, but resistance to impact damage is important.

Rob

[MikeW]

Don't overlook that PETG is considerably less stiff, less strong and less impact resistant than polycarbonate.
On a Kitfox I re-glazed I used PETG on the doors. It felt much more flexible despite going a bit thicker than the original PC. I felt it wiser to stick to PC for the windshield.
Make sure you get a UV resistant grade, it isn't all. (True for PC as well actually.)

[Red]

NT

[MikeW]

Yes. Easier than polycarbonate.