D4 sailcloth technology from DSM & Dimension-Polyant successful

20 Dec '07

3 min read

DIMENSION-POLYANT and DSM Dyneema announced the successful performance of the new D4 membrane sailcloth that features Dyneema, the world's strongest fiber.

The innovative D4 sails were used by Marc Emig and Bertrand de Broc, racing for the AST Groupe Française in an Open 40 in the 4,300-mile Transat Jacques Vabre race. After enduring the Atlantic crossover from Le Havre, France, to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, the sail was found to be in perfect condition.

The unsurpassed strength-to-weight ratio and extreme modulus and low stretch of the Dyneema polyethylene fiber offers sail makers the possibility to engineer sails which are lighter whilst keeping their shape.

This results in greater speed and easier sail handling for sailors, particularly in racing and endurance racing. The DSM material is extremely resistant to abrasion, UV light and salt water. This combined with its excellent flex fatigue properties allows sails to be used over a longer period of time compared to conventional membrane sails with e.g. carbon or aramid fibers.

Unlike carbon fiber, Dyneema is nearly transparent to onboard radar energy, making it the material of choice for e.g single handed offshore races.

“After four years of development using Dyneema fiber, we have found that this material significantly enhances the value of our D4 membrane technology. Dyneema further reduces sailcloth weight and boosts strength for optimal shape retention, durability and performance,” said Uwe Stein, Managing Director, DIMENSION-POLYANT.

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