Can copper be used for fuel line?
Captainkirk said
Copper will work harden, not just with vibration but with heat cycles as well. That is why we replace the pure copper spark plug washers on aircraft engines (or anneal them) each 100 hours.
So does aluminum, if you had any metulurgy background you would know that. Also, compare apples to apples, not apples to cow dung. We are talking fuel line, not engine components in direct contact with the combustion chamber, if your fuel line is exposed to over 200 degrees along the underside of the vehicle, I have a feeling you have much bigger problems to contend with, and aluminum line is not going to solve it or save you. Also, the purpose of annealing or replacing the copper spark plug washers, in aircraft, is because you have removed it for service. The washers are/will be sufficiently hardened and will not compress properly upon reinstallation if you do not address the issue and you will not get a good combustion seal which is CRITICAL to an aircraft engine. Hmmmm, your very statement brings up a point, if the hardening of the copper was so dangerous (ie, causes cracking and failure of said copper, cumbustion chamber pressures FAR exceed fuel system pressures) why would the FFA even allow copper to be used, why not the all mighty steel or aluminum your touting? I will answer for you, because it isn't the death and destruction causing failing material your trying to make it out to be.
Captainkirk said
Copper fuel line is more expensive, because.....copper is more expensive.
Noooooooooo, really, I think I said that :)
Captainkirk said
Ever see a car on fire in the middle of the road? Use whatever you want, it's your car.
As a matter of fact, yes, many many times. Guess what, most I have seen were caused by one of a very few things
1. Injector O-ring or fuel line o-ring failure.
2. Electrical short somewhere in the dash (how many of my fellow mopar fanatics have run into this one, can we all say AMP meter!)
3. Vehicle parked over combustibles (dried grass, leaves) and fire started by catylitic converter heat.
4. Vehicle owner/operator ignorance, I have seen cars burned to the ground because of cigerettes dropped into the seat, under the seat, or just left in the ash tray (also know one very young fool who left an incense burning in his ashtray because he was trying to cover up a smell in his car from a bad habit of his, the kind that gets u arested if you know what I mean:toothy7: ). NONE I have seen were ever caused by a failed copper fuel line. Not one. (Not to say it is not possible, but it is no more plausible than with any other fuel line.
Captainkirk said
I myself have plenty of copper tubing available, but won't use it.
Good for you, as you stated, you can use what ever you want, I am not twisting your arm, and I and or everyone else can use what we want. It is America (at least for some of us).
Captainkirk said
Aircraft fuel lines are either stainless steel, aluminum, or braided steel teflon. Copper is only allowed on primer lines.....which frequently break! I've never seen a steel or aluminum line break except in an accident. I rest my case.
Again here we are comparing cow dung to apples. The discussion is automobiles, not aircraft, there is a huge difference. I have seen steel and aluminum line failed from fatigue, corrosion, and impact damage. Copper and aluminum are more likely to crush or stretch in comparison to steel, rather than rip or fracture.
You are obviously not aware that alot of automobiles had copper fuel lines from the very early days of the model T's on up until not to terribly long ago, and the change to steel lines was made to reduce cost, not because of safety issues.
If you are going to dispute a point and attempt to "rest you case" bring a case first please. :thumbup:
Anyone who can site and show proof of any governing or sanctioning body that SPECIFICLY prohibits copper fuel line, please step forward and do so. I know that the NHRA rules DO NOT (states clearly that {all non-OEM fuel lines must be metalic, steel-braided or NHRA-accepted "woven or woven push-lock.") and none of the local stock car racing orginizations and/or enduro racing sanctioning bodies prohibit it. As for Nastards, good luck, you have to be associated directly with them to get one of thier rule books. :blah5:
Please don't take offense, I am neither slamming you, nor dissing you in any way, I just believe you are uninformed/misguided. You are entitled to your beliefs and statements, respect that I am too. :sunny: BTW, I was an aircraft mechanic in the Navy and my dad was also (he is currently building an experimental high performance aerobatic biplane in his shop)