Latest materials make waves in water sports

The first M34 performance sailing yacht, the new design for this year's Tour de France à la Voile race, was launched last June. SP-High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, provided a full composite construction solution to the yard and designer, comprising structural engineering, technical support, and composite materials, the majority of which is being supplied in B³ SmartPac format. The Tour de France à la Voile is an annual yacht race around the coast of France, and since 1978, only six different one-designs have been used. French boat yard Archambault has been selected to build the new series of boats, the M34. This design by France-based Joubert/Nivelt/Mercier Design is, at 10.34m, one metre longer than the previous Farr 30 design, which was used from 1999 to 2010, with a greater sail area/displacement ratio. SP-High Modulus' structural engineering team worked in close collaboration with the yard and design office to create a light, but stiff and robust structure. The final structural layout and laminate specification, balance the requirements of weight control, stiffness performance, and overall cost-effectiveness. As well as first principles engineering, the SP-High Modulus team undertook Finite Element Analysis of some of the critical structures, such as the keel support, to reach an optimum solution that resulted in accurate and repeatable alignment as well as practicality of build. The structural engineering analysis lead to the development of custom-designed materials to suit the specific structural requirements as well as the yard's build methodology. The glass and carbon hybrid fabrics, designed by SP-High Modulus engineering and technical teams, offer increased structural performance with a reduced number of layers, as well as ease of build through improved drapability and integral tackiness for positioning in the mould. For the core materials, SP-High Modulus' Corecell™ M-Foam was chosen as it offered the required properties at every location on the boat and meant that only one core material needed be used on the project. The build process using SP-High Modulus' Prime 20LV resin system has been further aided by the supply of the materials in the form of a B³ SmartPac. The materials in pre-cut format, along with a schematic and written construction booklet, resulted in the yard reducing its preparation and lamination time by over half. The sea trials were a success, with the naval architect, skipper and race director all happy with the boat's performance. Broad reaching with 17 knots of wind, the boat achieved 15 knots which gave a good indication of its potential. The boat was described as "stiff, powerful, fast and reliable". Nanotubes in kayak design A new chapter in the evolution of kayaks has been introduced with the use of Baytubes®, the carbon nanotubes from Bayer MaterialScience. Some new kayak prototypes have now been coated with an epoxy gelcoat modified with Baytubes® that has been developed by Norwegian research company Re-Turn AS, based in Gamle Fredrikstad. Reinforcing the outer skin of a kayak - the gel coat - with carbon nanotubes makes it far more resilient to abrasion from a shingle beach or contact with the edge of a river bank. In contrast, many conventional gel coats, especially those of particularly lightweight and sporty kayaks, are highly sensitive to external mechanical action. But that isn't the only way that these tiny tubes in the solvent-free gel coat help to prolong enjoyment of the boat and therefore of the sport itself - they ensure that cracks appear less frequently over long-term use and reduce wear on the outer skin. They also absorb UV radiation, thereby minimising the associated bleaching and embrittling effects. Re-Turn AS modified the outer shell of one of the prototypes with Baytubes® so that the kayak doesn't get as dirty aboSaldos - Entrega gratuita