The Material of the Future

When sailboats were built in the days of harpoon whaling and month long voyages, they were made using the best technology of the day. Wood. This allowed builders to create buoyant ships while allowing for them to be sturdy and reliable. As time progressed, materials became more advanced and ships turned into the massive metal giants that we know today. However, a select few individuals came to the world of yachting with different views than bigger is better. No, they wanted to turn it into a race and thus the Americas cup was founded. With the Yacht America winning the very first competition, the name was born. Since 1851, the yachts have undergone a dramatic change, from large and slow to, still, large but sleek and fast. In the 35th Americas cup this past summer hosted by San Francisco, the boats reached speeds up to 50mph. One of the reasons for the incredible speed was the almost entire carbon fiber construction of the yachts.

Carbon fiber hales as the material of the future because of its vast expanse of usability. This new use for Carbon is unique because it allows for immense amounts strength and rigidity that could not be achieved with comparable samples of other materials. Carbon fiber is 70% lighter than steel and 40% lighter than aluminum. Its high strength to weight ratio, high corrosion resistance, application flexibility, and low mass makes it very appealing to boat builders and other industries.

Carbon fiber is made through a very detailed oriented process with lots of precise steps to make it as strong as possible. First, the carbon undergoes a chemical change in order to align the atoms into long thin filaments far thinner than human hair. Each filament contains many carbon nanotubes that add even more strength to the finished product. The carbon is oxidized in a oven at about 250 degrees Celsius for a couple of minutes, then spun back and forth between tubes so the carbon picks up oxygen molecules in the process. When the carbon picks up oxygen atoms it makes the material resistant to high heat. The carbon then travels through a bath of electrically charged water that etches the surface of the fibers. This etchings help the material absorb the resign when its time for bonding more efficiently. The finished product can be rolled onto huge roles, molded into precast parts or used for creating customer specific pieces, like a world-class sailboat.        

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/us-sailing-americascup-innovation-idUSBRE98G0O420130917

Submitted by John Bennet