Sicomin has confirmed the use of its GreenPoxy resins in the build of a sustainable new Mini 6.5 class yacht, the FLOKI 6.5.
Designed by Antoine Mainfray, Atelier Interface, a leading naval architect and bio-composite specialist who has built structures for the world’s fastest racing yachts in the IMOCA, VOR and ULTIM classes, the 6.5m FLOKI showcases the latest in bio-composite materials and a cost-effective flat panel build process.
Successful processing trials, excellent mechanicals, DNV GL type approval and the support of the Sicomin technical team all came together to make the resin choice an easy one. InfuGreen 810 was selected for the flat table infusion of the hull, deck, roof, and structural panels, whilst GreenPoxy 33 was chosen for secondary lamination of the assembled parts. Both resins can be used with different hardener speeds depending on the component size and curing time required.
Sicomin’s GreenPoxy resin range is fully compatible with a wide range of traditional composite fibres and fabrics as well as more sustainable bio-based reinforcements. For the FLOKI 6.5, Antoine worked with bamboo textile specialists Cobratex, selecting their 350gm 2x2 twill weave bamboo fabric for the hull, deck and roof panels. As well as excellent environmental credentials, the Cobratex material actually has a negative carbon footprint, this novel reinforcement provides several unique benefits.
The bamboo strips act as tiny sandwich structures that absorb very little resin, enabling high reinforcement ratios in the finished laminate. With a density only half that of carbon fibre and impressive sound and vibration damping qualities, the bamboo reinforcements produce a highly functional, as well as ecological, bio-composite structure. With the bamboo twill forming the primary laminates for the FLOKI 6.5, a 300gsm stitched +/-45˚ flax fibre fabric was also used for the secondary bonding and taping in the structure.
Maximising the inclusion of sustainable materials onboard, sandwich panel sections of the FLOKI 6.5 use AIREX’s latest T92 PET foam formulation, that is the first to be manufactured from post-consumer recycled PET drinks bottles. The T92 core for the project, which also features AIREX’s SealX surface treatment that halves the resin uptake of the core material, was also delivered by Sicomin as part of their range of complimentary products.
Building with a hull jig rather than a traditional plug or mould, allowed the build to start almost straight away.
