Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Hi All, I'm wondering whether anyone has done any research into the relative strengths and weights of carbon fibre vs balsa or spruce spars. I tend to build models using spars made up of 1/2 x 1/4" spruce, 1/4 x 1/4" spruce or the same sizes of balsa and I would be interested to know what size of carbon spars would give the same strength as each of those, and how much weight would be saved. I could set about doing some destructive testing with lengths of wood and carbon, a few weights and a bottle of wine, but it could get expensive quite quickly so I thought I would check on here first to see if anyone has already done it. BW, Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cantwell Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 we built 4 nats class 1 fuflys using T shaped carbon moldings for spars, wings where ultra light, with slits top and bottom for the T section, used like this, the T section, one upright, one inverted, gave a girder section to the spar, obviously, with maouveres like three rolls, three loops, three touch and goes, and a spot landing---in 19 seconds, the wings take stick, they never flinched, T section was .5mm thick on all thickness dimesnsions, not bad, eh? 3 models where flown, with 2 firsts, 1 second, and 1 third to their credit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.