Lude Generation

So over the last winter my rear arches started erupting

Does anyone know if there is any structural significance to the rear arches from a view of crash safety / sturctural rigidity?

I'm thinking about doing some carbon-kevlar replacements seeing as they get done out of f/glass in some body shops already. Difference being I'm thinking of replacing the panel up to the creace rather than just the first couple inches of arch...

I'll be interested to see how these pan out if you go for it.
As for structural integrity, I have no idea so best wait for someone that does

as they are part of the shell they will add to the rigidity but whether or not carbon/kevlar panels would be less rigid is down to the part really maybe wide arch ones would be cool

The part rigidity would be fine with enough layers, they use the combo for rally cars. It's the join I would be concerned with as this wouldn't be a particualry strong bond, so if there is lots of flexure it could come away unless it was riveted.

It's the interface between the two different materials you'd have to worry about. Over time and they will expand and contract at different rates and start cracking.

unless you used a lap joint

Even with a lap, the CF part would only be glued to the metal which is why I was thinking rivets. Perhaps countersunk rivets...

could do but you might want to read up on it first there are a few companies that bond panels without issue

OK will do, cheers

I'm planning on having some of the 'bay boy' brows ready for the trip to LLL's

rivet + carbon fiber = fail!

the rivets will corrode in days, unless you use jointing compound and cracks will propergate like badmen from the drill holes and under the heads of the rivets unless you go down very large headed rivets route