Floor insulation

[KatanaPilot]

I have searched and I'm still in search of more information -

Getting ready to build an RV-10 fuselage and trying to determine the best (not lowest cost) method of insulating the under-floor area (primarily for noise reduction).

I've reviewed the SoundEx website, the Plane Patterns website and find both a bit lacking. I will call them to discuss their respective products.

Both Aircraft Spruce and Summit Racing are nearby, so I have them available too.

If anyone that has insulated their RV-10 floor area, I would like to have feedback on what you used. If you bought a pre-made kit, please let me know that quality of the product and how well it fit to the structure. If you bought the Plane Patterns and cut your own, what material did you use and how well did the patterns match?

Thanks much!

[Carl Froehlich]

I used this and am happy with the results: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/...insulator3.php
Part # 09-06016
Installation is as simple as cutting to size and using aluminum tape to hold in place. I installed this on the firewall, under the floors and on the side panels.

I know of one RV-10 that used a black foam type insulation under the floors that he had to rip out because of off gassing when it got warm. I don't know if this was the product but it looked just like it: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...lickkey=265858
This stuff is also pretty heavy.

Carl

[David Paule]

There are some excellent discussions on VAF of this issue, including tests. Here are three threads to get you started.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=insulation

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=insulation

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=insulation

If you do an advanced search for insulation and DanH as the author, looking for postings, you'll find these and numerous others.

Dave

[DanH]

Originally Posted by KatanaPilot

I've reviewed the SoundEx website, the Plane Patterns website and find both a bit lacking. I will call them to discuss their respective products.

Rubber and plastic foams are extremely bad choices on the inside of a firewall, or the forward floor. Perfectly fine for cabin sidewalls starting a few inches aft of the firewall, and the floor starting maybe 2 feet back from the firewall.

[johngoodman]

Just for information purposes, I used Abesco FP200, a fireproof foam, that has a 2X expansion rate, and is closed cell, so it won't absorb fluids.

http://www.abesco.net/index.php/prod...ire-rated-foam

John

[ERushing]

Ok Dan! You just blew a hole in my plans

I am going to do the Fibrefrax/ Stainless sandwich on the engine side of the firewall and was planning to do a Fibrefrax/ stainless layer on the bottom of my tunnel as well. Sounds like that is unwise.

It there anything that would be recommended for that first foot or two on the tunnel floor behind the firewall? All the posts I've followed had been about the engine side of the firewall vs the cabin side. i don't think I've seen much on the tunnel floor insulation.
Thanks!

[AviatorJ]

Originally Posted by ERushing

It there anything that would be recommended for that first foot or two on the tunnel floor behind the firewall? All the posts I've followed had been about the engine side of the firewall vs the cabin side. i don't think I've seen much on the tunnel floor insulation.
Thanks!

I plan to use just a fiberfrax/SS Foil sandwich for the front tunnel section. The sections behind that it's a Fiberfrax/SS Foil/Insulation wrapped up like you're steaming a rack of ribs... Leaving the foam out of the front one so I don't interfere with the filter, pump, cube brackets.... still not sure what I'm doing on the cabin side behind the firewall..

[DanH]

Originally Posted by ERushing

Ok Dan! You just blew a hole in my plans

Beats the alternative.

I am going to do the Fibrefrax/ Stainless sandwich on the engine side of the firewall and was planning to do a Fibrefrax/ stainless layer on the bottom of my tunnel as well. Sounds like that is unwise.

Engine side firewall...good.

Inside the tunnel...bad. In addition to smoke/flame production from the binder in the fiberfrax, insulating the backside of the aluminum floor pretty much guarantees it will melt more quickly:

rise in material temperature = energy in minus energy out.

Insulation inside the tunnel floor means same energy in and less energy out, thus less time to reach melt temperature.

It there anything that would be recommended for that first foot or two on the tunnel floor behind the firewall? All the posts I've followed had been about the engine side of the firewall vs the cabin side. i don't think I've seen much on the tunnel floor insulation.

Sure, same principle as the firewall...insulate on the hot side. That way you never heat the structure at all.

Several builders have simply riveted a fiberfrax/stainless foil overlay on the outside of the belly skin, width same as the cowl exit, extending rearward 24" or so. Seal the edges with FireBarrier 2000, or even proseal.

[TFeeney]

After looking at the choices, the cost, and the time to install, I asked a few pilots that have flown in aircraft with/without the insulation.
The feedback I was given was that there was little difference in noise when you're using a quality ANR headset.

I chose to build on.

[DanH]

Originally Posted by johngoodman

Just for information purposes, I used Abesco FP200, a fireproof foam, that has a 2X expansion rate, and is closed cell, so it won't absorb fluids.

Well, at least we'll know what happened.