Until
the past couple of years, the most common fabric choice
for the world's mega-yachts has been Spectra. Today, the worlds premier megasailors are
demanding increased durability and performance, and a
new standard has emerged; Doyle
Vectran Fabrics. Demanding yachts such as the 137’ sloop Corsta
V, the J class’ Velsheda, and Shamrock, the 154’ Juliet,
and the 140’ Schooner Borkumriff
are all testament to what the Wolfson Unit was able to
exhibit in the lab. There now exists the fiber and the fabric to give
both continued performance as well as durability, Doyle Vectran.
1. Vectran
has excellent
modulus [stretch resistance], on par with Kevlar 29.
2. Vectran
has zero creep,
or stretch over time, so it retains its shape.
3. Vectran
repels water so it does
not foster mildew.
4. Vectran
resists flex
fatigue,retaining
its strength and stretch resistance.
5. Vectran
offers
superior laminate
strength because its flat ribbon-type fiber bonds
extremely well to films and taffetas.
6. Doyle
Vectran Cruising fabrics have protective UV shields that
retain their strength after prolonged UV exposure.
Click
here to learn more
about Vectran |
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The
project manager for Velsheda
asked the Wolfson Unit of Southampton University to test
Vectran fabric, along with Spectra, woven Dacron-Vectran,
Dacron, and other fabrics for strength, stretch, flex
fatigue, bond strength, and UV resistance. He chose Doyle's specially designed Vectran
fabric.
Velsheda with her full Vectran inventory
Another
customer wanted to insure he had the most durable
possible sails for his Jongert 40 Meter [131’], and
contracted with “Independent Textile Testing
Services” to test samples of Doyle Vectran versus
Spectra taffeta products. After the equivalent of three
years of UV exposure, the Doyle Vectran showed
“Negligible or no change,” while the Spectra tafetta
samples showed “Noticeable change.”
Find
out why performance cruising sailors around the world
choose Doyle
Vectran sail fabric.
Vectran
is the Fiber of choice for the
World's Toughest Sails,
as well as for Dirigibles, Space Suits, Submarine
Towing Cables, and the Landing Balloons for the Mars
Pathfinder.
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