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Thread: Perspex/Acrylic

  1. #1
    tnowak's Avatar
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    Default Perspex/Acrylic

    I have a query regarding perspex/acrylic and equivalents for aircraft side windows.
    For a given thickness of material, are some products more rigid than others?
    The old side window I am to replace (2 mm thick) in my Vagabond is much more rigid than the new acrylic window I want to install.
    TonyN

  2. #2
    Stephen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    Acrylic gets brittle with age. New acrylic should be more flexible. I prefer polycarbonate (Lexan) for skylights and doors. Straight windows I use acrylic.
    "You can only tie the record for flying low."

  3. #3
    Stephen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    2 mm is .08 inch, 8/100's which is a bit thin.
    Last edited by Stephen; 11-21-2017 at 10:55 AM.
    "You can only tie the record for flying low."

  4. #4
    tnowak's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    I will have to check the Piper drawing to see what was originally specified, but 2 mm thick side window is what has been installed for, at least, the past 45 years!
    TonyN

  5. #5
    Jim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    Hi,

    Allowable manufacturing thickness tolerances for Acrylic sheet have closed over the years, but still vary enough to feel.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    I think my side windows are 1/4 inch thick. That works out to like 6 mm. Of course, I own a tripacer not a vag.

  7. #7
    Stephen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    Aircraft Spruce does sell acrylic as thin as .06. Which is 1.5 mm.
    "You can only tie the record for flying low."

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    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    and I thought teaching us the metric system in school was a waste of time.

  9. #9

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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    Ha! Try explaining to a 23 year old grandson what a "foot" is. He has only ever been exposed to metric so imperial is a complete mystery.

    Bit of a worry as imperial is still used here for bolts and screws! (in addition to metric)

  10. #10
    tnowak's Avatar
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    Default Re: Perspex/Acrylic

    Having transitioned from imperial to metric I still think in imperial units.
    Seems easier to visualise how long 5 ft 10 in is rather than how long 1.78 metres is!
    I looked at the original Piper drawing for the Vagabond side window and although not specified it looks most likely 1/8".
    As my Vagabond was imported into France from new it is likley the French replaced the side window with 2 mm perspex but added some rubber strip along the edge.
    Will measure again...
    TonyN

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