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  1. #1
    Veteran Kid Karola's Avatar
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    Karl
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    No one in Aus makes FRP hatch (or with wing) that I know of, so you'd probably have to get one through a parts importer out of Japan. There was a mob in New Zealand that made them but they're not around anymore. A few people were toying with the idea, but the cost of making moulds + producing them it still works out cheaper to source from Japan. Most people just get the fiber glass wing and attach it to metal hatch.

    There was a in SA - but may have already sold...

    Also noticed the hood and boot lid in Rolla-Club link are only outer skins (no structural skeleton) He mentions that he uses 4 bonnet pins (and a 5th to stop it flapping in the breeze!) That's great for a track only car, but do you want to remove your bonnet/hatch completely every time you need to look under it or get something out of the back? You could have a basic x frame on the underside and still keep the weight down to below half of the standard metal item with reinforced mounting points.

    Also he's only used a few sheets of chopped strand matt (not sure what kind of resin?) which is fine for anything that isn't load bearing. For a normal functioning hinged panel I've seen the mounting points where hinges and latches are placed need to be reinforced (with hard points) Most would use a dense foam core in a rib and have metal threads inserted as FRP threads can easily strip and the resin can become brittle and crack over time.

    Most "carbon bonnets" you see only have the outer sheet of carbon for cosmetic appearance, while under the surface the structure is fiberglass reinforced plastic. Hence there is not much difference in weight, but a complete carbon part would be lighter as less material is required for the same strength to be achieved. A full carbon bonnet would be closer to $2000 where as the plain FRP version only around $600.

    Yes carbon fiber sheets are more expensive, but much also stronger as the longer fibers are woven, not just a random hash of short lengths. This gives greater structural properties, and depending how the sheets are arranged/aligned for added strength in specific directions. Mike86 worked for a composite place (until a week or two ago) I'm sure he'd have more insight into this, but also tell you it's less stress to buy one then try make it yourself!
    Last edited by Kid Karola; 6th February 2010 at 11:37 AM.
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