19

Jun

Pink Gin VI, World’s Largest Carbon Fibre Sloop

Baltic Yachts’ all-carbon composite, 160-ton single-mast yacht the Pink Gin VI is one pace to debut in the water by May 12.

The yacht’s hull was laminated with epoxy carbon prepreg for its inner skin and E-glass and aramid for its outer skin. A layer of Kevlar woven fibers was used in the forefoot of the hull laminate for added impact resistance. The deck was also laminated in epoxy carbon prepreg with a core-cell foam as sandwich material.

The interior of the boat features structural bulkheads made of Nomex/Core-Cell core CRP sandwich construction. It also features a 67.9m carbon fibre mast. By using composites, the boat’s overall displacement is only 235 tons, Baltic Yachts says is low for a yacht of this size.

The Pink Gin VI is the world’s largest all-carbon-fibre sloop, so transporting it to its destination at Jakobstad, Finland was a challenge. Instead of traveling by sea, the sloop had to be driven 13 miles on land. The yacht traveled at an average speed of about 6 mph during the journey during which roundabouts, a railroad crossing and other obstacles had to be negotiated. Baltic Yachts was given permission to widen roads in places and temporarily remove traffic signs so that the unusual load could travel safely to Jakobstad. The carbon fibre mast and the keel will be delivered separately, and will ultimately arrive at its new owner by the middle of summer.

In addition to the Pink Gin VI, Baltic Yachts is also planning on beginning construction of three other carbon fibre yachts this year, each of which has already sold out.

According to http://compositesmanufacturingmagazine.com

19

Jun

World’s First Carbon Fibre Subway Car

CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, a leading Chinese train car maker, announced that it has developed a prototype of the world’s first subway train made of carbon fibre. CRRC says its composite prototype is more durable and requires less energy than traditional metal cars. It is also believed to be 35 percent lighter due to its use of carbon fibre.

In recent years, CRRC has sold train and subway cars to 20 countries including the U.S., Brazil and Australia. The subway cars are expected to last at least 30 years as carbon fibre is more capable of resisting fatigue, corrosion, and UV radiation, CRRC says. Carbon fibre is also stronger and quieter compared to metal, the manufacturer notes, and offers in better thermal and sound insulation performance.

CRRC Changchun said it owns full intellectual property rights on the use of carbon fibre for making subway cars. The cars will first be used for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line. Back in October, CRRC produced the first China-made subway cars for the Orange Line as part of a 284-carriage order signed by the company with MBTA in December 2014. The deal was the first time a Chinese train car maker won a bid in the US market. The company believes the strides it has made with in-house research will result in mass production of the cars.

By Evan Milberg   compositesmanufacturingmagazine.com

03

Jun

Carbon Fibre and DIY Kits for Your Repair Needs.

Buy Carbon Fibre Kits. Learn how to work with carbon fibre and make your own custom carbon fibre parts.

 

Here at Beyond Materials we have put together Carbon Fibre and DIY kits that you can use to make your first carbon fibre parts.

These carbon fibre kits include all of the basic materials you will need to make a small carbon fibre part, make a repair or laminate an existing object. The best part is that our carbon fibre kits are small and affordable and include everything you need to get started.

These carbon fibre kits have been used to repair or reinforce kiteboards, landboards, carbon fibre lips, carbon fibre hoods, interior pieces, vehicles and more.

For general yachting, we offer a fibreglass repair kit that will help you repair or at least temporary mend a crack or a hole in a punctured hull – and without being any kind of composite expert or having to carry or buy large quantities. Beyond Materials makes composite repairs simple and straightforward.

 

Buy carbon fibre and other composites online in Australia at Beyond Materials