DETERIORATION OF HOVERCRAFT SKIRT COMPONENTS ON CRAFT OPERATING OVER WATER

Laboratory tests on a range of rubberized nylon fabrics of the type used in hovercraft skirts are described. The base fabric weight for the materials involved varied from 300 to 1275 grams per square meter. Soaking the materials in water reduced the tear resistance significantly, the effect being considerably greater for the heavier fabrics. Tear and abhesion tests on samples removed after service on craft indicated that loss in properties occurred which could not be accounted for by water absorption alone. It was assumed that the deterioration indicated was caused by fatigue. It has been shown that reduction in properties can be effected by running under severe conditions on a flagellation rig and by a cyclic tensile loading test. When stressed in the latter test in relation to the ultimate breaking load, lighter fabrics have greater life than heavier fabrics.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • International Hovering Craft Hydrofoil and Advanced Transit System Conference, Brighton, Sussex, England, May 13-16, 1974.
• Corporate Authors:

  Kalerghi Publications

  51 Welbeck Street
  London W1,   England 
• Authors:
  • Kelly, M D
  • Morris, J
  • Gardner, E R
• Conference:
  • International Hovering Craft Hydrofoil and Advanced Transit System Conference, Brighton, Sussex, England, May 13-16, 1974.
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 139-146

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Wear
• Old TRIS Terms: Skirts
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00135400
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 13 1976 12:00AM