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External Panels in ABS Sheet
Neb - 4/9/13 at 12:18 PM

Apologies - another newbie question.

What is stopping me from making the external panels out of ABS sheet. It's malleable so wouldn't be to much of a pain to shape and is relativity cheap.

Would we fall foul of the IVA?

Also could i use it to make the bulkhead behind the seats?

Just a thought before I order ally.

Slater - 4/9/13 at 12:25 PM

I used black 3mm ABS sheet for the "parcel shelf", but found it expanded and warped/bowed when in the sun. Not a reason not to use it, but thought I pass it on.

iank - 4/9/13 at 12:33 PM

No problems at IVA, just the goes floppy in the sun.

Like this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23930675

Neb - 4/9/13 at 12:48 PM

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/designs/plastic/

Quite interesting!

It is a fair point about the sun light on it. Large surface areas like the rear end & bonnet i would imagine would require some strengthening (say light ally strips bonded to the inside) but i guess it's do-able.

Slater - Wish we got your summers/winters here! We have been to Cape Town twice (drove from London to Capetown in 2012) and i love SA. The chap i'm building the Locost with is South African actually.

Ian - heard that on the radio yesterday!

I might get a sheet and see what happens. I wonder if White would be better than Black as it would reflect the sunlight.

Edit - should have done a bit more searching. http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=39798
This forum is brilliant!

[Edited on 4/9/13 by Neb]

britishtrident - 4/9/13 at 12:50 PM

In the USA they call bulkheads firewalls an bay engine bulkhead needs at least some degree of heat & fire resistance so an ABS engine bulkhead would perhaps no be a good idea. I don't know about IVA but I am pretty sure MSA scrutineers would not pass one.

iank - 4/9/13 at 01:06 PM

Go for transparent, but only if your welding is perfect

http://wordlesstech.com/2010/12/14/exasis-concept-the-transparent-car/

Slimy38 - 4/9/13 at 02:09 PM

Relatively cheap? The only stuff I can see seems much more expensive than aluminium or steel?

Bluemoon - 4/9/13 at 02:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
In the USA they call bulkheads firewalls an bay engine bulkhead needs at least some degree of heat & fire resistance so an ABS engine bulkhead would perhaps no be a good idea. I don't know about IVA but I am pretty sure MSA scrutineers would not pass one.


Tend to agree.. With a fire near the fuel lines in the tunnel, engine bay or boot area I would rather have Ali.. Should hopefully give you long enough to stop and get out..

MK used to fit ABS rear bulkhead (not sure if they still do or not).

Neb - 4/9/13 at 03:01 PM

Agreed on the Bulkheads. We are looking to do solo's etc so wouldn't want to fail scrut. Will check some regs.

http://www.plasticstockist.com/ABS-Sheet.aspx

Seem to be the cheapest i have found so far.

I have a tame steel/ally stockist/fabricator but was just thunking outside the box really.