 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
ami(at)mcfadyean.freeserv
Guest
|
 Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:34 pm Post subject: Fuel tank - bulges and leakage. |
 |
|
I'm not aware that the Europa tank is made of HDPE; which is actually highly
resistant to a wide range of chemicals, hence its widespread use as basal
liners to landfills.
I don't suppose the HDPE automotive tanks are rotary moulded either.
The Kitfox rotary moulded tanks were made of cross-linked LDPE, and I'd
presumed the Europa tanks were the same. LDPE has a "benefit" of being more
elastic than HDPE.
FWIW, I have the old style non-fluorinated tank. So far it hasn't bulged,
split or leaked. However, fuel permeation is noticeable, as it was on the
Kitfox too.
Duncan Mcf.
---
| | - The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
sidsel.svein(at)oslo.onli
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:03 am Post subject: Fuel tank - bulges and leakage. |
|
|
Duncan,
During this current thread, I introduced the assumption that the Europa
tanks are made of HDPE. Based on the extensive bulging some have
experienced, however, my source of much more knowledge than I possess
assumes it might be LDPE - which he in general does not find suitable for
gasoline containers. There are some unfortunate "Europeans" who can attest
to that - - - - .
As others have stated already, gasoline composition varies from brand to
brand, etc.
The fact that your non-fluorinated tank has not bulged is quite interesting.
What type of fuel have you used - unleaded mogas or leaded Avgas?
Regards
Svein
LN-SKJ
PS: EA2004 has not been open for business since I copied them one my
previous messages, asking their comments. Today is Bank Holiday in the UK.
| Quote: | I'm not aware that the Europa tank is made of HDPE; which is actually
highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals, hence its widespread use as
basal liners to landfills.
I don't suppose the HDPE automotive tanks are rotary moulded either.
The Kitfox rotary moulded tanks were made of cross-linked LDPE, and I'd
presumed the Europa tanks were the same. LDPE has a "benefit" of being
more elastic than HDPE.
FWIW, I have the old style non-fluorinated tank. So far it hasn't bulged,
split or leaked. However, fuel permeation is noticeable, as it was on the
Kitfox too.
Duncan Mcf.
|
| | - The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:59 am Post subject: Fuel tank - bulges and leakage. |
|
|
On Monday, May 5, 2008, at 00:30 US/Pacific, Duncan & Ami McFadyean
wrote:
| Quote: | I'm not aware that the Europa tank is made of HDPE; which is actually
highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals, hence its widespread
use as basal liners to landfills.
I don't suppose the HDPE automotive tanks are rotary moulded either.
|
Duncan,
My apologies...I incorrectly gathered from the thread that our tanks
were HDPE; hopefully, we'll learn soon enough for certain.
The article I referenced on 5/4,
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/9607/Alvarado-9607.html#ToC7 ,
dated 1996, about HDPE tanks in automobiles, does mention "rotary style
blow-molding machines" which I took to be equivalent to the
"roto-molded" process mentioned in Europa literature; again, I may be
incorrect.
What struck me about the article was that back in 1996 in the auto
industry there was no consideration for the use of LDPE...and it
includes a nice synopsis of the evolving HDPE technology (barrier
coatings, mono vs. multi-layer), regulatory issues (permeability
standards), and fuel compatibility (methanol/ethanol, additives,
flex-fuel vehicles).
Fred
--
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
| | - The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
h&jeuropa
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 654
|
| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Fuel tank - bulges and leakage. |
|
|
Just a data point on this discussion. Our Europa first flew in Oct 2005. After a ground loop in Sept 2006 the fuel tank has been empty during repair. I filled it this week and have no leaks.
Granted, our climate is much cooler than some. The empty tank probably never saw ambient temps in excess of 80 deg F.
This is kit A185 which was delivered May 2000. We screwed up the install of the fuel tank initially and got a replacement tank from Lakeland in Sept 2000. My guess is it was from a kit on hand.
Tank has only had MoGas in it, no 100LL.
I have no idea why ours is OK and others have split, but I'm glad it turned out that way!
Jim & Heather
B241BW
| | - The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
