Your 5052 tube is apparently mis-identified on the BOM. This alloy is not
heat treated (nor can it be) so it would not have a -T designation following
the alloy number. 5052 is available as annealed with the designation -O
(the letter, not a zero) and work hardened in -H3 temper, typically in
the -H34 and -H38 variations. The mill that manufactured the tube should
have applied marking along the entire length of the tube that not only
identifies the size and alloy, but the manufacturer's code or name, and
usually also the applicable specification. Of course if you have painted or
powder coated the tube you can not read the marking.
My leftover 1 inch tube is 6061-T6, and the wall thickness is 0.028 inch.
Since my wings are already closed I can not see what is installed but when I
purchased additional tube (you can guess why) I probably did not change from
what the factory supplied. 6061-T6 is much higher strength than 5052-O, and
both have the same Young's Modulus so it would be a good substitute,
something I would have considered if I had made the substitution.
You will find that tube in 6061 alloy is more readily available than 5052
(in the US it is available in home improvement stores) but the price should
be about the same for either alloy. Although your antipodean aviation
authority might not allow it, from an engineering perspective substitution
of 6061 for 5052 is appropriate for this application.
Best regards,
Rob Housman
A070
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Tony Renshaw
Subject: Europa-List: Aileron Pushrod Tube Dimensions
Gidday,
Well it was a day of 3 steps forward and 2 back. I bonded in the port
aileron torque tube in the cockpit module, successfully, and then with my
daughters assistance I measured and cut the port wing's aileron pushrod.
Failure!!!! I cut the bloody thing at the base of the rod end insert, not
its head. Oh, I kicked myself around the workshop with my daugter somewhat
surprised to see me castigate myself as much as I do her from time to time.
Well now the problem is that I have to source another 12' length of this
stuff, but I am unsure of the spec. My bill of materials describes a tube
that I think might be it, but I'm not sure. TU25RM and it also says
5052-TO- .25" X .035. Well the tube is 1" OD with a wall thickness of .035,
so I figure it must be 5052 tubing, but the .25" has got the better of me?
Any clues as to this, or my ultimate question of "what type of aluminium
tubing is the aileron pushrods"????
P.S. I'd really appreciate a score of people telling me how easy it is to
do what I did, as the bill alone will be a sting, and I have a bruised
behind already from my own kicking.
Reg
Tony Renshaw
Sydney Australia.
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