quote:
Originally posted by RAL INN
does anybody realise that Cuben fibre was actually produced for the USA olympic yahting team to bypass the NO Kevlar rule.
that means it is an attempted copy of kevlar so if no such rule in Kiting then what's the problem with using Kevlar for the same if not better result?
Well we would not want the same result eh!!
Cuben is just spectra fibres laminated between mylar and flexible polymer laminates. Its main claim to fame is low stretch on bias loads, low weight, inability to absorb water.
Kevlar is even more expensive to produce, is weakened radidly by exposure to UV rays, is much heavier, and even more difficult to bond with laminates.
After seeing the results in the HF kites, and by that I mean the non delivery of the weight savings alone, I'm not convinced that there are sufficient benefits to warrant the extra cost. All the weight savings (20% approx) have been achieved by reducing the diameter of the LE and struts, but this has brought its own issues, that have made the kite unstable and hard to tune, as well as not delivering on the claimed better low end and high end.
Most of the kites we got will fly, but they are not user friendly, nor do they deliver the sort of performance that was hyped or that average joe kiter wants and expects from a kite priced in the very top end.
I have doubts about the ability of the laminate to withstand the abuse kiters will subject the cloth to, the constant folding and sudden high load stresses from crashing and wave pounding. It does rip and can delam we have seen both, and repairs will be a constant weak point and would require the application of insignia cloth to all torn areas to be sewn back together, resulting in a heavier and patchwork looking kite.
I really thought the low stretch quality of the cloth would deliver superior performance, not substantial enough in reality though.
