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dc.contributor.authorJohnstone, J.
dc.date.accessioned2019-05-14T13:53:34Z
dc.date.available2019-05-14T13:53:34Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.identifier.citation

Johnstone, J. (2011) 'Flexural testing of sustainable and alternative materials for surfboard construction, in comparison to current industry standard materials', The Plymouth Student Scientist, 4(1), p. 109-142.

en_US
dc.identifier.issn1754-2383
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/13929
dc.description.abstract

The objective of the project was to test if natural materials were a viable and sustainable alternative to current surfboard materials. The testing was comparative, comparing differing natural fibre laminates (2 differing hemp cloths), an environmentally friendly Bio-Foam and epoxy resin against the industry standard materials of glass fibre, polyurethane foam and polyester resin. The materials were laid up in sandwich construction (dimensions: l=240mm, w=50mm, d=10.3-11.6mm) and tested in three point flexural testing. Four test specimens for each material selection were tested, with the mean result taken.

All the samples failed in indentation, with the core crushing beneath the top skin, underneath the load beam. In comparison to the standard materials, the thin hemp cloth showed decreased flexural strength (-0.055 GPa) and flexural stiffness (-30.9%). The thick hemp cloth showed further decreased flexural strength (-0.0183GPa) and flexural stiffness (-63.2%) in comparison to industry standard materials. The hemp cloths also showed high levels of deviation from the mean (Thin: 23.8 N and Thick: 21.1).

The Bio-Foam sample expressed lower compressive core shear strength in comparison to polyurethane foam, and therefore lower flexural strength and stiffness in comparison to the standard (Flex strength: -0.27 GPa, Stiffness: -39.1%). The epoxy sample was the only specimen to show increased mechanical properties in comparison, with an increase in flexural strength of 0.046 GPa and an increase of 5.2% in flexural stiffness.

The results showed that natural alternatives do not show comparable properties to currently used materials, although by using an epoxy matrix the strength and stiffness of the specimen is increased. This would therefore increase the longevity of a surfboard, leading to decreased waste.

en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Plymouth
dc.rightsAttribution 3.0 United States*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/*
dc.subjectsurfen_US
dc.subjectSurfboarden_US
dc.subjectnatural fibre laminatesen_US
dc.subjectenvironmentalen_US
dc.subjectresinen_US
dc.subjecthempen_US
dc.subjectpolyurethane foamen_US
dc.subjectBio-Foamen_US
dc.subjectglass fibreen_US
dc.subjectsustainableen_US
dc.titleFlexural testing of sustainable and alternative materials for surfboard construction, in comparison to current industry standard materialsen_US
dc.typeArticle
plymouth.issue1
plymouth.volume4
plymouth.journalThe Plymouth Student Scientist


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Attribution 3.0 United States
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