Carpeting options? - New Cessna's as an example

[BellSouth.net News]

On the new Cessna 172's, Cessna uses a Black mat type carpeting in the
front, then it goes to actual carpet in the back.

I'm looking for a source for the black mat in the front to do the floor in a
Mooney. Anyone know what they use or where I might get some? I believe
it's a polypropylene type material. For a specific picture, you can see the
inside of my old (sold recently), 172R.

Thanks in advance,
Alan

http://www.highrf.com/gallery/64f-Airplane/IMG_0746

[Kyle Boatright]

"BellSouth.net News" > wrote in message
t...
> On the new Cessna 172's, Cessna uses a Black mat type carpeting in the
> front, then it goes to actual carpet in the back.
>
> I'm looking for a source for the black mat in the front to do the floor in
> a
> Mooney. Anyone know what they use or where I might get some? I believe
> it's a polypropylene type material. For a specific picture, you can see
> the
> inside of my old (sold recently), 172R.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Alan
>
> http://www.highrf.com/gallery/64f-Airplane/IMG_0746

It *probably* isn't polypropylene. The stuff burns too well for an aviation
application. Typically, you can't get a polypropylene carpet to pass the
most stringent residential or commercial fire ratings. My guess is that the
fiber is Nylon (probably Nylon 6.6 to be specific), because Nylon's burn
properties are somewhat self-extingushing. From the picture you provided,
it looks like a needle punched carpet, which is a relatively specialized
product. Also, if this is going in a certified airplane, you probably need
to find FAA *certified* carpet, which probably conforms to very specific
burn tests and has a paperwork pedigree.

If you were a homebuilder, I'd suggest that you find some commercial carpet
with a "Class 1" fire rating.

A related aside (skip if you don't need one more useless factoid stored in
your memory banks).

In the carpet industry, there is a test called the pill test. In the test,
a small flammable pellet is placed in the center of a piece of carpet, then
ignited. This pellet simulates what would happen if someone dropped a lit
cigarette on the floor. All other things being equal, the burn spot on a
nylon carpet is usually the size of your thumb. Sometimes as large as the
palm of you hand (there is a fair amount of variability). On polypropylene,
the fire-watchers are very happy if the burned area is palm sized.
Occasionally an entire sample burns up.

The big advantages of polypropylene? It is less expensive and you can use
bleach to clean it without turning it white...

[Del Rawlins]

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:24:58 -0400, "BellSouth.net News"
> wrote:

>On the new Cessna 172's, Cessna uses a Black mat type carpeting in the
>front, then it goes to actual carpet in the back.
>
>I'm looking for a source for the black mat in the front to do the floor in a
>Mooney. Anyone know what they use or where I might get some? I believe
>it's a polypropylene type material. For a specific picture, you can see the
>inside of my old (sold recently), 172R.

Try a marine supply place. They generally have different type floors
like that for use in boats. Dunno about the approved stuff though.


================================================== ==
Del Rawlins--
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