Re: [Paddlewise] Kevlar vs. Full Carbon Fiber?

From: Patrick Maun <patrick_at_patrickmaun.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 11:36:55 -0400
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that the hot new material 
is boron. The rowing world is embracing it as is the fishing world, but it 
looks like kayaking is ignoring it for the time being. I mean, CF is old 
skool in the world of rowing. I've heard that boron it is incredibly stiff and 
strong and all the cool kids are using it. 

Anyone wish to comment? 

It seems like the sea kayak world comes fairly late to technological 
advances. As an example, seat ergonomics have been big in 
whitewater for awhile now but are only recently coming to sea kayaks. Of 
course, you don't really need those fancy seats when you've got some 
minicell and dragonskin. Only one example, but I'm sure there are 
many. 

So, titanium sporks, boron-enhanced flip-flops, cold-fusion GPS - 
technology good or bad? Pick a side. Wood greenland or carbon fiber 
bent-shaft wing blade. Always an interesting conversation to have while 
we aren't on the water.

-Patrick


On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 09:53:39 -0400, Michael Edelman wrote
> Kevlar fibers have a very high tensile strength, but carbon fibers 
> in an epoxy or thermoplastic matrix are much stiffer. This means you 
> can make a much lighter boat for a given stiffness. Kevlar is also 
> weakened by exposure to UV.

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Received on Fri Oct 10 2003 - 08:36:59 PDT

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