The product used for the STRUT to board connection reinforcement is a "high teck" bonding agent, not epoxy at all, now discontinued (at least here in France) due to saftey issues in using it, made to bond alu and many other materials. We did this as a test but only 3 sessions so far as is getting cold (not for PF ) but for us. Great question and only time will tell?faklord wrote:@RH
How is the strut to plate mount joint holding up?
I cant believe the epoxy fillet that you applied adds much mechanical strength
Anyhow i was wondering about potting (Epoxy + chopped strands) the ally strut into a foilbox
(eg http://www.ketos-foil.com/en/kitefoil/2 ... isser.html), still using the 8mm bolts.
Should be cheaper and lighter than TKF part.
Thoughts?
We also considered tig welding a fillet around the STRUT to base plate but as said did this for a test.
I know from years of trying that getting a GOOD bond between alu and even the best epoxys is all but impossible, (even doing meticulous cleaning and roughening up surface, sanding wet, ect...)UNLESS one uses the available (expensive, dangerous) prep treatments that airline makers use.
You can do a search to find these products.
We have never even seen or used these products as they seem to be not user friendly, acid?
The only reason we are testing this specific product is because it was free from a friend in the business.
So far we have bonded alu to carbon, ss, inox to carbon and alu, so far so good, but again only time and stress, temp changes will tell.
I have imbedded inserts and seems to hold strong, even using cheap brass ones.
Maybe (have not seen yet) the Zeeko alu STRUT is stronger because I think it has 3 M8 at the board plate connection?
So I think your idea of "filling" a Ketos STRUT to board box to fit but not bond to a alu strut seems like a GREAT idea!
Just be sure to rough up the inside of the box well, clean perfect and finley chopped carbon mastic mixture should be tightly packed in it around STRUT that has been waxed or other demold prep, seran wrap over grease to prevent bonding, cooked well of course.
Please let us know how it works.
R H