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Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Vinyl Ester tanks
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From: Steve Thomas <glasair2@me.com>
Resent-From: Steve Thomas <glasair2@me.com>
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Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 12:54:24 -0700
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Sender:  Steve Thomas <glasair2@me.com>

(sorry, but the chart mentioned below is too big.  If you want a copy,  
let me know and I'll email direct.)

Yes, but there are many formulations of vinyl ester.  My entire  
airplane is made from vinyl ester, including the wet-wing gas tanks.   
The formula used from the factory was Derakane 411-45.  I switched to  
Derakane 411-350 some time later as it was a little more viscous and  
wetted out better.  It was also easier to get.  However, if you look  
at the attached Derakane Chemical Resistance Guide, the 411 series is  
not recommended for gasohol concentrations greater than 10% ethanol.   
Since I cannot do anything about my tanks at this point, I am forced  
to live with the limitations of Derakane 411.

I don't know what the specifications are on the fiberglast resins, but  
those who use it ought to know.  For me, E85 is clearly not in the  
cards.  Another possible option is butanol.  There are some who are  
experimenting with butanol as a 100% replacement for 100LL.  It has  
nearly the same octane rating as 100LL, and about 90% of the total  
energy, per gallon, of gasoline.  Ethanol only has about 60% of the  
energy, per gallon, of gasoline.  And butanol does require a different  
air-fuel ratio.  It is also not corrosive in the same way as ethanol.

So, my concern remains.  It looks like using gasohol with a 10% lace  
of ethanol will be OK.  More than that, I'll be switching to 100LL.

Best Regards,

Steve Thomas
_______________________________________________________


On Sep 4, 2009, at 11:32 AM, Lynn Hanover wrote:

> Or, what are the tanks holding E-85 made out of? About 75% alcohol
> .All of the underground fuel tanks are now Vinyl Ester.
>
> Lynn E. Hanover