North Cloth - Properties of Industrial Fibers

NORTH CLOTH:
Family of Fabrics
Fiber Properties
Fiber to Fabric
Industrial Fibers
Oceanus Cloth

The following table describes the essential performance properties for established and newly introduced fibers used in upwind sails. Figures are based on testing performed by North Cloth

Fiber

Modulus
(gr/denier)

Tenacity
(gr/denier)

UV Resist.
(mo. to 50% strength loss)

Flex Loss
(% in std. test)

Cost
($/lb.)

Uses

Polyester
(Dacron)

80-120

5-8

6 mo.

0%

$2

Racing &
Cruising
Sails

Polyester Pros & Cons
Pros: Tough, durable, inexpensive, many weights and finishes
Cons: Relatively stretchy compared to Aramids

 

PEN
(Pentex)

250

10

5 mo.

5%

$7

Club Racers
& Cruisers

Pentex Pros & Cons
Pros: Fits between Polyester and Aramid in performance and cost
Cons: Cannot be woven tightly, best used in laminates
 

Kevlar 29
Twaron SM

600

23

3 mo.

25%

$15

Regatta
Racing Sails
Kevlar 29, Twaron, SM Pros & Cons
Pros: Light weight, low stretch
Cons: Low flex and UV resistance
 

Kevlar 49
Twaron HM

940

24

3 mo.

28%

$18+

Grand Prix
Racing Sails
Kevlar 49, Twaron, HM Pros & Cons
Pros: Light weight, very low stretch
Cons: Low flex & UV resistance. Expensive
 

Carbon

1200-
2500

20-40

no effect

30-100%

$15-$100

Grand Prix
Racing Sails

Carbon Pros & Cons
Pros: Very light, extremely low stretch, good UV risistance
Cons: Brittle, low flex resistance
 

PBO (Zylon)

1600

36

1.5 mo.

30%

$60

Grand Prix
Racing Sails
PBO Pros & Cons
Pros: Extremely low stretch and light weight.
Cons: Low flex & very low UV resistance. Expensive.
 

Spectra/
Dyneema

1100 less creep =500

34

7 mo.

no effect

$25-$35

Premium
Cruisers
Spectra/Dyneema Pros & Cons
Pros: Very strong and durable.
Cons: Creep limits racing applications.
 

LCP (Vectran)

580

28

1.5 mo.

no effect without UV

$25

Premium
Cruisers
Vectran Pros & Cons
Pros: Good flex when protected for UV.
Cons: Requires complete UV protections.
 
Modulus: stretch resistance per weight. Higher is better for upwind sails.
Tenacity: breaking strength per weight. Higher is better for sails.
UV Resistance: strength loss in a standardized exposure test..
Flex Loss: Percent breaking strength lost in an industry standard 50 fold test.