Please define 'sealed'

[mhorowit]

Is there a standard to go by when using the term 'sealed' as in 'sealed' strut? - MikeH

[Guest]

Re: Please define 'sealed'

Is there a standard to go by when using the term 'sealed' as in 'sealed' strut? - MikeH

Consider this; Will the strut interior volume hold pressure? If yes and its coated on the inside with a preservative then its "sealed"

In other words imagine that you drilled and tapped a hole in it and installed an air hose fitting and hooked it up to an air hose. Would it hold pressure or leak. Kinda like a gas tank leak test or a radiator leak test.

Dave

[mhorowit]

Re: Please define 'sealed'

Consider this; Will the strut interior volume hold pressure? If yes and its coated on the inside with a preservative then its "sealed"

In other words imagine that you drilled and tapped a hole in it and installed an air hose fitting and hooked it up to an air hose. Would it hold pressure or leak. Kinda like a gas tank leak test or a radiator leak test.

Dave

Like the earlier thread explaining that acrobatic a/c presurize the tubing and watch a gauge to insure they don't have a crack. However, that doesn't define 'sealed' as in "what if I get a good bill of health for my strut, then coat the inside with then weld the drain hole shut do I now have an acceptably 'sealed' strut? - MikeH

[Guest]

Re: Please define 'sealed'

Like the earlier thread explaining that acrobatic a/c presurize the tubing and watch a gauge to insure they don't have a crack. However, that doesn't define 'sealed' as in "what if I get a good bill of health for my strut, then coat the inside with then weld the drain hole shut do I now have an acceptably 'sealed' strut? - MikeH

There are more holes to close than the "drain" but if they were all closed I should think that is sufficient.

Make that suggestion to Andy McAnual and on the docket.

[mhorowit]

A proposal for keeping your good old struts in service

Make that suggestion to Andy McAnual and on the docket.

Certainly. Please see my proposal at http://members.cox.net/mhorowit/

Any comments greatly appreciated.After a couple days I'll post it to the FAA - MikeH

[N96337]

Re: Please define 'sealed'

Somehow, from somewhere in the past (Piper strut AD??) I was under the impression that the strut was purged with an inert gas before sealing, to get rid of any possible oxygen that could propagate corrosion... I don't remember who told me that one...
I think there's a bit more to it than just welding up the holes, but it's going to be interesting to see what the FAA says.
JH

[mhorowit]

Re: Please define 'sealed'

Somehow, from somewhere in the past (Piper strut AD??) I was under the impression that the strut was purged with an inert gas before sealing, to get rid of any possible oxygen that could propagate corrosion... I don't remember who told me that one...
I think there's a bit more to it than just welding up the holes, but it's going to be interesting to see what the FAA says.
JH

JH - I know it's risky quoting as gospel something someone said on the Inet, but wasn't there an earlier thread that proposed that the linseed oil had some effect on the trapped air in the now sealed tube? That would have to be validated before it bacame a usable fact, but it's a potential lead- MikeH