Delamination question...

Bernard Stamm who's currently participating in Around Alone, just arrived in NZ with quite a nasty delamination in what looks like the outmost carbon layer of the outer laminate skin.



But should a carbon fiber laminate really delaminate this way "just" because of waves and slamming? Prette severe weather on the way over, sure, but shouldn't the epoxi keep the carbonfiber layers together better?

What are your opinions on this? Bad craftsmanship or just a result of the construction choosen?

My thought is that it shouldn't look as smooth as it does in the delaminated area, doesn't that indicate a weak bond from the very beginning in the laminate?

BTW do you follow Around Alone?

Erik

 

The delam is probably due to the high fiber to resin ratio used in these types of racing boats. They might have been trying to "squeeze" out as much resin as possible to save weight, which reduces the interlaminar bonding. Once a tiny crack (or stress concentration) evolves, the constant wave attack simply propagates the crack down the path of least resistance....the interlaminar bond. I have heard of some vessels with this problem incorporating "peel stoppers" in there skins, so when a layer does delam, the damage is localized.

 

I think the amazing thing is that after all that delamination the boat is still afloat and sailing.