A very close look at the new AK Smoke fabric! |
|
New AK Smoke Fabric from Contender Sailcloth
Over the past few years we have been using the Contender
AK range for the vast majority of our Kevlar sails. For 2001 Contender
have improved the performance of the product by introducing a UV absorber
into the fabric giving it a distinctive grey colour, hence the name,
AK Smoke.
In recent tests standard production samples of the old style clear
AK 9 were compared to the AK 9 Smoke. The test involved exposing the
samples in a xenon arc UV tester for 100 and 200 hours.
Results showed that the clear AK 9 suffered a 20% loss of tenacity
(break strength) after 100 hours and a 25% loss after 200 hours.
The AK 9 Smoke with UV absorber, however, exhibited only an average
of a 10% loss after 100 and 200 hours. As well as the effect on tenacity,
the Smoke fabric also showed improved modulus (resistance to stretch)
retention. For example after 200 hours of UV exposure the Smoke fabric
showed only 1% reduction in modulus compared with the 12% reduction
for the clear fabric.
We are convinced that the UV absorber in the new Smoke AK range offers
a significant advantage over previous fabrics and the best news is
that this comes at no extra cost to you, the end user!
For further information please call Hugh Myers at the loft on 01489 582444.
Back to Development
|
