Graphite in Epoxy

Has anyone actually had experience with this? I was told it will make the bottom of my new plywood boat less likley to get pierced during grounding.

The bottom is plywood, already coated with epoxy and 9oz cloth.

Thanks for help

 

Kevlar is resistant to piercing.

 

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I think you're thinking of woven carbon fiber-not a whole lot of help in thin layers for your purpose-and very expensive.
Like Hoyt said Kevlar would probably be better but not as a final layer-it does not like abraision. If you sanded the bottom and went thru to the kevlar it fuzzs up and is very difficult to fix cosmetically. A layer of glass over the kevlar might be a good idea.
Unless you're going to be frequently grounding glass is likely to be ok.

 

Mix graphite powder with silica (Cabosil, Aerosil) in epoxy and coat the bottom, this resulting very hard, very slippery and very black surface, is used for protection on anything where there is occasional rubbing of one sort or other. It can be used as a large area bearing surface... LOL ie. bottom of your boat, where if it rubs through there will be an obvious colour change.

See http://www.westsystem.com.au/west_system/products/additives/423_graphite_powder

 

Graphite mixed with epoxy reduces water resistance when submerged over time. Don't do that on the bottom. It is primarily for lubrication when mixed with epoxy. Hoyt has it right. Kevlar, though heavy, is for strength in groundings.

 

Kevlar heavy? It is less heavy then glass... Actually we should be talking about aramide, to give Teijin Twaron also a chance...

Also, aramide is highly resistant against abrasion. It will turn into a mess, but will not get penentrated.

There are also rubbing pads from materials like UHMWPE, which are frequently used on RIBS which get beached frequently.

 

There is another point to be noticed!

Graphite is noble to everything!
Take care you don´t invite galvanic corrosion when using graphite under water.

Regards
Richard