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| Pentex |
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A new fibre similar to Mylar, but with significantly higher breaking points.
It represents an excellent compromise for club racing sails; the cost is slightly higher than traditional Mylar sails, but the greater durability more than makes up for the added cost.
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| Kevlar |
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An aramidic fibre with a module five times greater than that of polyester, meaning that it stretches less at a lower material weight.
The most frequently used material for laminates.
Though it has excellent mechanical properties, it deteriorates when exposed to UV and weakens significantly along folds. Unfortunately it is very expensive.
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| Spectra |
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A material produced by the Allied Signal Corporation. It has the highest module of any fibre, with the exception of carbon.
It has not met with success in the manufacture of racing sails, because it tends to stretch when subjected to constant stress over an extended period of time.
For this reason, its primary use is for cruise sailing.
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| Thenora |
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Manufactured by the Japanese company Teijin, it is an aramidic fibre produced for transmission belts. Used in laminates, it is coloured black to improve its resistance to UV rays.
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| Twaron |
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Produced in Germany by Akzo, an aramidic fibre similar to Kevlar.
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| Dyneema |
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| Produced by the Dutch company DSM, its characteristics are similar to those of Spectra. |
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| Vectran |
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Manufactured by Hoechst-Celanese, this latest fibre to be developed in the sail industry is a liquid crystal fibre based on a polyester; its module is similar to that of Kevlar, but its molecular chain makes it less sensitive to folding and abrasion.
It does not stretch.
Even more expensive than Kevlar, it is a very interesting fibre for use in sails.
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| Carbon |
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It has a very high module but is extremely fragile.
During the last America's Cup, it made a contribution to the success of the new boats, though their crews had to be very careful not to fold it.
The high cost and the inherent fragility will probably limit its use to multi-million dollar sporting events.
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