Archived Marine Sector News - 2010

ACG’s High Modulus Prepregs Provide Improved Performance for F18 Class Catamarans - 25th May 2010

Prepregs manufactured using a combination of medium temperature moulding epoxy resin and high modulus carbon fibre reinforcement from Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), a Division of Umeco plc, are being used by Colchester-UK based Reverie Limited to produce a new range of autoclaved sports catamaran foils for the popular world F18 class, focusing initially on Hobie’s New ‘Wildcat’ and Nacra’s popular ‘Infusion’.

Simon Farren, MD of ReVerie comments: “Reverie’s foils are significantly stiffer and lighter than the OEM boards as they are made using high modulus fabrics and, importantly, from autoclaved prepregs rather than traditional foam cored, wet-laminated carbon/glass products. He continues: “Using the autoclaved process allows us to use a clever internal vacuum bagging technique to create hollow longitudinal carbon stringers within the narrow chord section of the foil. This prevents the skins buckling and vastly increases the bending resistance of the foil.”

ReVerie uses ACG’s MTM®28 epoxy resin system with a high modulus, unidirectional fabric near the surface at the maximum chord width section to gain optimum stiffness.

Top sailing teams select Reverie foils because of the weight saving and higher stiffness achieved. This increased stiffness results in enhanced hydrodynamic grip, which improves the transfer of combined sail and rig generated power thereby increasing speed.”

ACG MTM®28 prepreg is based on 120°C (248°F) curing toughened, epoxy matrix resin that has been developed for the manufacture of components requiring high damage tolerance. MTM®28 provides good adhesive properties and will bond to a honeycomb core without the need for an additional adhesive film. While ReVerie autoclaved its foils, MTM28 can also be processed via oven/vacuum bag or press moulding.

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Henry Nicholson-Cole – Marine Market Sector Manager
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: hnicholson-cole @ acg.co.uk