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Composites and moisture/water contamination

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Synergy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Messages
333
Location
Kalispell, MT USA
Guys, please remember wet sanding is OK on non-flying plugs and carbon, but causes significant issues for aircraft fiberglass. (Habits happen) The strength of a chemical bond to glass depends on surface treatments, which water molecules impede. Don't take it from me: "If your cloth roll ever gets water spilled on it, it must be discarded and not used on an aircraft structure." -Burt Rutan

Open porous fiberglass, even though bonded, will wick moisture and corrode the interfacial bond strength. If you need to wet sand on a flying structure please remember to do so after final sealing.

You can employ the exceptions to this rule when you know what they are.
 
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