Title: Composite boat hulls with bamboo natural fibres

Authors: S. Corradi, T. Isidori, M. Corradi, F. Soleri, L. Olivari

Addresses: Terni Manufatti e Prototipi and Studio Corradi, Via del Teatro, Romano 24/26, 05100 Terni, Italy. ' Terni Manufatti e Prototipi and Studio Corradi, Via del Teatro, Romano 24/26, 05100 Terni, Italy. ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Perugia, Via Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy. ' Cantieri Nautici Soleri, Glorie di Bagnacavallo, 48020 Ravenna, Italy. ' Olivari Composites Engineering, Via Villalvernia 2, 15050, Paderna (Al), Italy

Abstract: Bamboo laminates are made from bamboo strips milled out from bamboo wall core. In the present study, the overall mechanical characteristics of bamboo fibres reinforced composites and sandwich for general marine applications were analysed. An accurate analysis of processing possibilities and chemical-physical characterisation has been conducted, evaluating the relationship between composites performances, processing characteristics and environmental ageing. As applications, an hull panel and a spinnaker pole have been realised and respectively tested for impact and for axial compression load: successively a complete 6 meters boat hull has been realised in order to analyse critical lamination points and the effectiveness of vacuum bagging.

Keywords: natural fibres; bamboo fibres; nautical applications; absorption tests; accelerate ageing tests; spinnaker pole; boat hulls; fibre reinforced composites; marine applications; impact testing; axial compression load.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.027821

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.36 No.1/2/3/4, pp.73 - 89

Published online: 12 Aug 2009 *

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