JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #41 - June 2008 - 66

Materials g…/… An out-of-autoclave composite solution More information Gurit offers a wide range of composite solutions, technologies and products especially designed for fastgrowing end-markets such as wind energy, transportation, marine, sports and civil engineering. Advanced composites have become the core focus for Gurit, and as one integrated global organisation, Gurit has production facilities in Switzerland, Germany, UK, Spain, Canada and China. Polyester gelcoat compatibility In the marine production market, certain manufacturers want to use their “tried and trusted” polyester gelcoat while using advanced composites for the structure. New products such as the ST70 low-temperature curing SPRINT® can be used for combining two previously incompatible chemistries, with outstanding levels of adhesion between the epoxy laminate and the polyester gelcoat and the vinylester skincoat. The Royal National Lifeboat Institute in the UK were the first to take advantage of this new technology, building the first of several 8.5m Atlantic 85 Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) Further time saving was made possible by using the recently added Gurit kitting machines to design and supply preforms so as to speed up mould utilisation. use of advanced composite materials. The first of the series was the Shipman 50 (European Boat of the Year 2003), followed closely by the Shipman 63 (European Boat of the Year 2006) and the newly Fig.5: Shipman 72 sea trials launched Shipman 72 (pictured). With the Shipman 80 currently in build, Seaway has recognised that technical leadership brings commercial rewards. Fully engineered by SP, the marine business of Gurit, to use SPRINT® materials in conjunction with SP prepregs and Corecell foam cores from the outset, the final structures are not only stronger, stiffer and lighter than their competition, but also have comparable build times. While the SPRINT®-built Shipman 63 has a displacement of 16.5 tons with 6 tons of ballast, its direct competition have displacements ranging from 23-25 tons and ballast ranging from 8-11 tons. The vast reduction in weight for the SPRINT structure allied to greater overall stiffness translates into significantly enhanced handling, better performance and greater structural longevity. Fig. 4: SPRINT® Surface films used in automotive market to achieve class A surface and in marine market to eliminate filling and fairing prior to painting Fig.6: Shipman 63 deck being laid up with carbon and glass SPRINT® The future looks bright With the European SPRINT® patent maintained in full granted form after successful defence of an opposition action at the European Patent Office in December 2007, the future looks to be one of sustained growth for the SPRINT® technology, allowing Gurit to maintain its technical leadership in the marine, automotive and wind energy markets. By addressing and solving real-world composite construction issues, SPRINT® has proven that it is much more than a clever name. More information: www.gurit.com Contact: nick.partington@gurit.com In production Many new technologies never get any further than the laboratory or small-scale components; SPRINT® is different in that it has been successfully transferred to large production components: from internal and external car body parts for the McLaren Mercedes SLR and the Aston Martin, to wind turbines and 80 foot yachts such as the Shipman series built by Seaway in Slovenia. The Shipman series of yachts are an ideal example of how to maximise product differentiation and thus yacht sales by the most efficient and cost-effective JEC Composites Magazine / No41 June 2008
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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #41 - June 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #41 - June 2008
