Aron;
5052 is somewhat easier to bend & form than 6061 unless it is 6061-O. I
think 5052 is a bit more resistant to certain types of corrosion as well
but there really isn't much difference; if you already have enough of
one alloy or the other, use it.
Baffles do stiffen a fuel tank and make it stronger; so do embossed
panels. Under hard acceleration or braking, the baffles prevent fuel
starvation from uncovering the pickup tube. One other thing-- they also
keep the fuel from slamming into the ends of the tank and eventually
causing a seam rupture.
Reticulated open-pore urethane foam is used in commercial fuel cells; it
does the same thing as a series of baffles.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-land-speed@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-land-speed@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of atrav
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 7:14 AM
To: LSR list
Subject: DIY gas tanks
Awhile back I made a gas tank for truck project, out of regular 6061
aluminum. Now I need to make
another one, but reading the Aircraft Spruce catalog they recommend
using 5052H-32 aluminum instead.
What's the difference?
All I can find is that they weld the same, machine the same, but that
5052 is cold workable a little
better (a 'B' rating rather than a 'C' rating for 6061), but nothing
that really states why 5052
would be better than 6061 for gas tanks, any thoughts?
The alloy difference is 6061 has magnesium and silicon, where the 5052
only has magnesium.
Also, the first tank I made had no baffles, but I was thinking of making
a simple X of two sheets
within the tank for this one, do you all think baffles are necessary?
I'm shooting for about 22
gallons capacity, so was thinking that baffles might help rigidity a
little too.
-Aron-
|