Components and samples of the new products will debut at the HiPer Craft 2012 Expo in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, on 26-27 June.
Zyvex Marine, pioneer of the 54' boat Piranha unmanned surface vessel (USV) that weighs 8000 lbs yet would have weighed 40 000 lbs with traditional materials, specialises in watercraft and component manufacturing using Zyvex Technologies carbon nanotube (CNT)-enhanced carbon fibre materials.
Pacific Coast Marine, Everett, Washington, USA, worked with Zyvex during the last year to develop doors, hatches and closures for current watercraft produced by Zyvex Marine. Now, Pacific Coast Marine and Zyvex are unveiling a door that weighs 66% less than a traditional door – from 150 lbs to just 50 lbs each – and is more durable.
"Beyond the obvious materials advantage of this partnership, the development of unprecedented manufacturing capabilities for high-performance carbon nano-composites means a cost-effective price," reports Byron Nutley, general manager of Zyvex Marine. "
"We went from manufacturing a traditional boat door made of aluminium to a scaled manufacturing process using nano-enhanced carbon fibre."
Pacific Coast Marine used Zyvex Technologies' is a carbon nanotube strengthened prepreg technology called Arovex®, that uses the proprietary Kentera® technology to create chemical bonds on the carbon nanotubes.
