HOVERCRAFT SKIRT COMPONENTS ON CRAFT OPERATING OVER WATER

Hovercraft skirt components are usually manufactured from nylon based fabrics coated with a suitable rubber compound. It is well known that such materials exhibit reduced levels of tensile strength and tear resistance when immersed in water for prolonged periods of time. Differences have been observed between fabrics of varying nominal weight. The relationship between the fatigue life of various coated fabrics and the degree of applied stress has been studied under both dry and wet conditions. The percentage loss of fatigue life after immersion in water is of the same order as that observed with tensile and tear strength. The fatigue life of a coated fabric is seen to be related to the level of applied stress, irrespective of the weight of the base fabric. The effect of fatigue on tear strength and rubber to fabric adhesion is considered, and the possibility of predicting the fatigue life of hovercraft components from the results of laboratory tests is discussed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Conference on Hovering Craft, Hydrofoil and Advanced Transit Systems, Brighton, England, May 13-16, 1974.
• Corporate Authors:

  Kalerghi Publications

  51 Welbeck Street
  London W1,   England 
• Authors:
  • Kelly, MDT
  • Morris, J
  • Gardner, E R
• Publication Date: 1974-2

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Hovering Craft and Hydrofoil
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 5-6
  • Publisher: Kalerghi Publications

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue strength; Wear
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fatigue life
• Old TRIS Terms: Hovercraft materials; Skirt failure; Skirts
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00057269
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Maritime Research Center, Kings Point
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 16 1982 12:00AM