: A left-over from an old job. Nice to have some flash protection.
: Works for diesel just as well as AvGas. I think diesel is worse
: than aviation fuels, it doesn't go vapour as fast so more likely
: to stick. The hair on the back of my hands grew back. :) Not as
: effective as a full firesuit, but much much lighter. :D

: Nomex and Kevlar are related to Nylon, different branches. I don't
: think anything really bonds to polyethylene, though it can be
: chemically welded to more PE, but the chemical is exceptionally
: toxic. Works by 'loosening' the polymer bonds so they'll 'grab'
: to another piece of PE. It's got a very low flashpoint as well.
: Never mind the No Smoking sign, don't even think warm thoughts.

: Aluminium is easy to epoxy, just de-oxidise the surface, etch it
: and epoxy. But quickly. Or use an inert gas atmosphere, that's
: easier. :D Though epoxy will stick well to an anodised alloy
: item. But then, what's the point of that?

: Mike Savage
: South West Cork

The oxides form on aluminum in I think milliseconds so putting epoxy on it quick isn't the issue. The oxides have no strength so the epoxy joint isn't really structural. Molt Taylor (aircraft designer) figured out a way to do this though for a homebuilder, though it's a bit risky health wise (cost wise too), too sand the oxides off in a bath of diluted epoxy, then the epoxy coats the surface before the air can get at it to create the oxides. Fairly easy then to bond to the epoxy coated aluminum.

There are structural anodizes that were/are licenced to do this on a commercial basis, but the patented process isn't cheap, I think Boeing and Aeronica are the licensors. It's been a few years since I played with this stuff :)

Bill H.