Vectra cloth

[Ken Baker]

I can't seem to fond muct infomation on the web about this.

Would anyone know what the total hand-layup density of 4.0 oz./sq. yd. Vectra cloth would be with epoxy resin? I know the general rule of thumb is 50/50 but 4 oz. of resin seems a bit lite.

Thanks,
Ken

[SailDesign]

Dood - 4 oz cloth is a little light, too

[TheFisher]

Originally Posted by Ken Baker

I can't seem to fond muct infomation on the web about this.

Would anyone know what the total hand-layup density of 4.0 oz./sq. yd. Vectra cloth would be with epoxy resin? I know the general rule of thumb is 50/50 but 4 oz. of resin seems a bit lite.

Thanks,
Ken

Ken,

Dave Gerr discusses Vectra and epoxy in his book on boat strength during his exposition of Lindsey Lord's Ultralight sheathed strip-plank construction method.

Vectra will want to float in the resin so you will want to use a little as possible and no more. It is best to vacuum bag the pieces if possible.

One method I'm aware of is to use a minimum amout of resin to wet the surface. Then apply the cloth and smooth it out. As the resin starts to kick and goes to the gelled state add the remaining resin to finish coating the cloth and vacuum bag if possible.

IIRC 4 oz. Vectra is close to the same thickness as 10 oz cloth. Therefore it should be closer to 10 oz of resin per 4 oz of Vectra given that the volume of resin is the same. I may be wrong but that is as much info as I have on it at this point.

[TheFisher]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

Dood - 4 oz cloth is a little light, too

Sail,

Not to insult your experience and or expertise in this matter, but Vectra has a much higher E and can absorb much more energy than glass without failing. Also, as I mentioned in my previous post, 4 oz of Vectra is around the same thickness of 10 oz. glass.

Let's compare apples to apples and look at the total composition.

One caveat must be in ordwer. A cheap resin will not work for this as it will not be elastic enough. Another caveat (I know, I said one ) is that the cloth must not have seams as you would with glass. The laminate has to be unbroken from fore to aft and athwartships.

[SailDesign]

Fisher - not much experience or expertise with Vectra over here

Ken's comment that 4oz of resin seemed light just called out for a comment that 4oz of cloth is also light. Just trying to be funny here (although why I should expect it to work here when it doesn't work anywhere else is still a mystery....)

Steve "one o'those days"

[TheFisher]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

Fisher - not much experience or expertise with Vectra over here

Ken's comment that 4oz of resin seemed light just called out for a comment that 4oz of cloth is also light. Just trying to be funny here (although why I should expect it to work here when it doesn't work anywhere else is still a mystery....)

Steve "one o'those days"

LOL

Now that I went back and re-read your comment I see the humor

Seem's to me I was having "one of those days" !