Multi-Ply DCF?

[Jacob]

Has anyone tried layering (taping/ sewing) multiple sheets of cuben fiber into a single ‘multi-ply’ fabric?

If puncture resistance is related to the scrim used in Dyneema Composite Fiber, then could two layers of CT0.3E.08 at <0.7oz/yd be more puncture resistant than a single sheet of CT2K.18 at 1.0oz/yd or CT5K.18 at 1.43oz/yd?

Other DCF combos about or less than 1.0oz/yd

CT0.3E.08 + CT1E.08 = 0.85oz/yd

CT1E.08 + CT1E.08 =1.02oz/yd

CT0.3E.08 + CT1K.18 = 0.95oz/yd (both ~E.08 and ~K.18 scrims for less than an oz/yd)

Any pitfalls anyone can point out?

 

[Colin Krusor]

What are you calling the “scrim?” In DCF laminates, the closest thing to a scrim is the network of Dyneema fibers, but that seems to conflict with the point of the post. Do you mean the polyester film?

If so, then I’ve wondered the same thing, myself. I made a pack and three shelters from what was then “Cuben” and I bonded all the seams and reinforcements with Hysol UO9LV. So, the large reinforcement patches were laminates of DCF laminates (metalaminates?), like you described. I never tested their puncture resistance, but I didn’t see increased wear from creasing, despite the extra layers and thickness. I never had a delamination problem, either, but that might be due in part to my use of a screw press during gluing. Many urethane adhesives (like the Hysol) will foam a little as they cure and give a weak bond unless cured under pressure. So, if you’re imagining a large area of material, like a shelter floor, it might be difficult to fabricate a single piece with a strong, thin, bond.

[Jacob]

‘Meta-laminate’ is exactly what I am describing! :) By ‘scrim’ I am trying to refer to the polyester/mylar/whatever-it-is film, the waterproof barrier that the dyneema fibers are embedded in.

A shelter floor is also what I was envisioning doing this for. I was hoping a minimal amount of double sided tape in a few well placed spots would effectively ‘laminate’ the sheets of DCF together, without adding significant weight or bulk.

This would more than double the material cost for the floor, and I don’t have any experience working with DCF yet. Thanks for your response, I really appreciate your feedback with your experience and how it worked out!

 

[Colin Krusor]

One more thought: if you’re going to tack the layers together here and there with tape, you’ll just have a DCF shelter floor with a DCF groundsheet under it. Why attach them to each other at all?

Also, as you observed, the film does most of the work of resisting abrasion and puncture. I think that’s part of the rationale for the popular combination of DCF shelter floor and film (e.g. polycryo or crosslinked polypropylene window film) groundsheet. The film is much cheaper than DCF, it resists abrasion and puncture well, and it can be periodically replaced, so the shelter floor is always protected.

[Mark Fowler]

If you are not fully bonding it then it could be interesting when the outer layer gets pierced and water permeates between the layers.  Colin has the sensible solution.

[Jacob]

Thanks so much for your guys’ input! Definitely helped give me more perspective to a lot of what I’ve read around here

[Lorenzo M]

If anything I’d think about bonding polychryo to cuben to increase puncture resistance. I’d have thought you already had enough strength and puncture resistance is cubens weak spot.

[Author]

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