Fuel cell protection

[TDI PILOT]

What is the best material to use on areas of the car that come in contact with the fuel cell to protect it from abrasions, chafing, or any other damage? These areas on my car would include belly pan, frame rails, sheet metal from the seat "wedge" area.

Please advise,

-Eric

[cheeze131]

Even though still not done, I wrapped my cell with High temp ceramic/aluminum silca insulation from McMaster-Carr. I am hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone with the heat protection as well.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-ce...ation/=11fql93

[Mark_Silverberg]

I would simply suggest covering and exposed rivet head which may contact the fuel cell bladder. I cover with gaffers tape - but it could be any time of tape with abrasion resistance.

I also try to seal any large gaps where stones may fall between the metal can and bladder.

I would not suggest putting anything with adhesive on the bladder itself as you do not know how it would react with the bladder material.

I know that in the F/A-18 all rivet heads were taped before the bladders were installed. there was no other surface treatment used. I do not know what type of tape was used but I do remember the adhesive had a very strong odor.

The F-15 actually had potention panels that went on the floor and walls before the fuel cell was installed. This was the difference between Air Force and Navy policy for each plane.

[EYERACE]

I used a couple of new thick chamois between the cell and areas/surfaces that may rub

[Bill Butterworth]

Doesn't the fuel bladder need to be enclosed in a steel or aluminum can before being installed in to the car?

[TDI PILOT]

in the end it is essentially inside a aluminum enclosure. Bellypan, seat aluminum sheet, etc.

[Bill Butterworth]

I hope you are right, but when I asked the SCCA this question they told me I needed a bladder, and a can in addition to the car structure. Hopefully someone with more experience than me can clear up this question for both of us.

[Bob Coury]

I wanted to use aircraft cavity tape, but it was expensive. I ended up using the helicopter tape.

[EYERACE]

Doesn't the fuel bladder need to be enclosed in a steel or aluminum can before being installed in to the car?

no....not before.......rather the idea is ....once installed by virtue of what surrounds it

[jcorsico]

I lined the abrasion points of my aluminum enclosure with wool felt. Available at McMaster.

[mcs11]

we used gorilla tape around corners and rivet heads for ours but it still had a hole punched into the cell for my car when we ran Charlotte last year. Almost cost me my last regional entry to qualify for Daytona before George Fox let me burrow his car for the 2nd race.