The GATTO shipyard relies on 100% Saertex reinforcement materials for its latest passenger boat!
The aim
The aim of this project was to build a modern, lightweight and environmentally friendly passenger boat that is suitable for daily tourist navigation. The boat makes it possible to reach the Calanques National Park in Marseille quickly from Bandol. It has a length of 18 meters and a capacity of 70 passengers plus crew. The hybrid drive, consisting of diesel and solar energy, and the use of fully composite materials, which replace heavy metallic or wood materials, underline the innovative and sustainable approach.
A couple of examples of technical advantages;
- Weight reduction for better fuel efficiency and higher speed
- High structural integrity and stability for increased safety
How was this done?
The materials Glass NCF + SAERfix and the structural core material SAERfoam80 were chosen. These fibre–reinforced materials, which are ideally suited for boat building, were used for the deck, interior and hull of the boat, in order to achieve an optimum balance between weight and stability stability.
For processing both the multiaxial fabrics and the sandwich complexes in a single step, the vacuum infusion was used for manufacturing stable composite components. Using this manufacturing process, the materials are first placed dry in the mold and then infused with resin under pressure, resulting in an even and flawless distribution. By precisely controlling the fibre orientation and resin distribution, the glass fibre composites can be processed as efficiently and accurately as possible.
In order to also make the placement of the fabrics more economical, SAERfix glass fabrics with a self-adhesive surface were selected. These simplify draping even in complex shapes and save up to 50% of time compared to the use of spray cans.
To learn more about this success story, please view the original source here.
*All information and any images were taken from Saertex’s website.
