Cuben Fiber tarp tie outs

[SimonMc]

Hi all,

I thought I should finally have a crack at a Cuben Fiber tarp and have been playing around with tie out options.

For the reinforcement patches I ordered in a small amount of a pressure sensitive adhesive film from a Sail cloth shop in Sydney, Australia, who I already deal with. They didn't have what I was after so I just got some PSA clear film which is used as a covering material on film sails. I was a bit dubious but it seems to work ok. They do have a taffeta and Polyeter X-Ply PSA which I wanted initially, and I assume would be a little stronger.

The thing I like about the clear film is once it's stuck on it's almost invisible but still seems to give it good strength. I used 1/2 inch grosgrain, with the Cuben Fiber sandwiched between the grosgrain, and a lineloc3 for my practice piece and tried to break it but couldn't. The film seems to add strength and prevent any elongation of the needle holes. It actually feels rock solid which surprised me. Though once I do the tarp proper I will know for sure in the long term.

I just weighed the tie out patches. Each patch adds about 2 grams. What weight fabric/material reinforcement have other people used?

Any thoughts/concerns from the Cuben tarp experienced?

Cheers

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[Dutch]

I use for tie out reinforcements...
CT3.5K.18 OD Weighs 1.3 ounce per Sq yard

Let me know if you want a piece with you recent order. it is olive green but very muted.

[SimonMc]

I use for tie out reinforcements...
CT3.5K.18 OD Weighs 1.3 ounce per Sq yard

Let me know if you want a piece with you recent order. it is olive green but very muted.

Hey Dutch,

That would be great. Happy to fix you up for it.

Also feel free to throw in some of the new worms especially the silk worms I might add them to this tarp, and show them off a bit. Again I will fix you up for them.

This order just keep growing.

Thanks.

[Dutch]

Your like the Dutchware down under. I was going to throw some of them in anyhow.

[SimonMc]

Well someone has to help you out

[Violent Green]

I use 4oz dacron for my cuben reinforcements. Sorry, not familiar with that film to give you any real feedback.

Ryan

[SimonMc]

Thanks Ryan. Is that Dacron with self adhesive for sail repairs?

[SimonMc]

I just tried a sample of PSA backed 3.3oz polyester as reinforcement. Brief testing seems to indicate it is equally as strong as the clear film whilst being lighter, and having a more natural soft hand.

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Having performed some unscientific repetitive shock testing to the tie outs, the failure point seems to be just above where the reinforcement patch ends with the laminate and fibres showing significant distortion.

[Violent Green]

Thanks Ryan. Is that Dacron with self adhesive for sail repairs?

Simon-

You got it. You'll find that most/all of the failures will be right at the end of the reinforcement.

Ryan

[SimonMc]

Simon-

You got it. You'll find that most/all of the failures will be right at the end of the reinforcement.

Ryan

Thanks Ryan,

I think I am going to order in some of the PSA backed 3.3oz polyester which would be similar to your Dacron I imagine and use that on my tarp and then experiment with the stuff Dutch is sending over for future builds. The PSA backed fabric sure makes the application process easy though.

Cheers