Another CF wing joiner question

[CactusJackSlade]

Hey all,

I have some 5/16" dia. solid carbon fiber rod from

http://cstsales.com/Carbon/carbon-rods.htm

It is "item #T235 0.3125" (5/16) CF solid carbon rod"

I want to use this for a wing joiner on my 2 meter ship. Will this be strong enough or should I go to 3/8"... which seems a bit massive!

I also have some 6160 aluminum 5/16" rod... I could use that too???

I plan to hi-start and possibly winch launch it.

Recomendations?

CJS

[Ollie]

The 5/16 carbon rod will do very nicely as a joiner on a 2-meter model except for the most extreme zoom launch on a winch. To get the most out of the carbon rod, which is brittle, you must avoid stress concentrations at the ends of brass joiner tubes. Debur the ends of the brass tubes and flair the ends slightly. An alternative is to jacket the carbon rod by epoxying it into a soft aluminum tube. Joiner tubes made from material softer than brass will also avoid the fatal stress concentrations at the ends of the tubes.

The tempered aluminum rod will work for histart launches and mild winch launches. It will give you warning that you are launching too hard by bending. The carbon rod won't yield like aluminum but snaps instead. Even so, the carbon will take much more of a bending load than the aluminum.

[CactusJackSlade]

Ollie,

Thanks,

I will go with the 5/16" CF rod... heck I tried to bend/break it in my bare hands and although I didn't givie it my maximum try, it seems very stout... I think 3/8 would be overkill!

Thanks!

CJS


:rolleyes: