JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007 - 46

FEATURE “Marine” Infusion moulding has no secrets for Hatteras Yachts The extraordinary performance of Hatteras Yachts continues to reach new heights as the boat builder expands its resin infusion operations to motoryacht hulls up to 21.9 metres in length. MR STEVE MARTIN, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, AOC More information Along with Albemarle Boats and Cabo Yachts, Hatteras Yachts, New Bern, NC, USA, is one of three brands that comprise The Hatteras Collection, a unit of Brunswick Corporation, Lake Forest, IL, USA. The Hatteras Collection is recognized as a world leader in the construction of quality offshore fishing boats, sportfishing convertibles and luxury motoryachts. It includes sportfishing boats ranging from 7.3 to 27.4 metres and luxury motoryachts from 19.5 to 30.5 metre ompared to hand-laid fibreglass, the resin infusion process gives more consistent part quality. Improved part-to-part consistency ensures a more precise fit of bulkheads, stringers and other structural components. And the higher glass-to-resin ratios associated with resin infusion increase component strength while lowering overall part weight. All these factors translate into a winning combination of better performance and fuel efficiency for the customer. And because resin infusion is a closed-mould process, emissions in the workplace and into the environment are almost completely eliminated. Hatteras Yachts is a licensee of SCRIMP® (Seeman Composites Resin Infusion Moulding Process) technology from TPI Technology*. Their initial experience with the process started with bulkheads, athwartships, soles (decks), and other parts. Before transferring their resin infusion experience to hulls, the largest infused part was a 24.6-square-metre deck. A newly designed 18.3-metre sportfishing convertible was selected for the first resin-infused hull. A large-flanged female mould was built specifically for the infusion technique. In addition to being larger than previously infused parts, the hull is much more complex because it incorporates various design features that achieve a unique combination of speed, comfort and a dry ride. The legendary company’s progression into resin infusion is getting help from team-oriented technical support and Hydropel® high-performance resin technology from AOC. In the shop and on the water For the hull structure, a Hydropel high-performance vinyl ester resin met two primary sets of specifications – one for processing in the shop, the other for performance on the water. Stringent processing specifications reflect Hatteras Yacht’s resolve to create rugged hulls of the highest structural integrity. The bottom of every hull is a solid, armourlike fibreglass-reinforced composite, which is even stronger when made by the infusion process. PVC foam cores are incorporated in the hull sides and superstructure to deliver high stiffness at a lower weight. Hull infusion begins with the application of a clear gelcoat During resin infusion, 1 bar is and a vinyl ester skin coat pulled under a polymer film. into the female mould. Next, fibreglass roll goods cut to precise patterns are laid down, along with PVC foam coring in select sidewall areas. The reinforcement and core are covered with the SCRIMP resin-flow medium. JEC Composites Magazine / No35 September 2007

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007