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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: paparick on January 24, 2011, 09:29:00 AM

Title: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: paparick on January 24, 2011, 09:29:00 AM
Hey everyone, I have some tight weave kevlar cloth, and I was wondering if any of you have incorporated anything like that into any of your bows.  Thanks
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: hova on January 24, 2011, 09:41:00 AM
it wwould probably make a good backing for a whisper light ipe/kevlar bow. probably have to use hide glue to keep a black hole from destroying the universe...


-hov
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: paparick on January 24, 2011, 11:38:00 AM
I think it would work well, too. I think it would have to be epoxy, though.  When I use the stuff for aircraft repairs, I have to use about twice the resin as with fiberglass or it just peels off. That's my biggest fear, delam. I know it won't break, but there may be a several bow learning curve. Worst that'll happen is I'll put my eye out, then my mom will say "Told ya so!"
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: Zradix on January 24, 2011, 12:23:00 PM
It's heavier than carbon with less elasticity.
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: FerretWYO on January 24, 2011, 12:26:00 PM
There was some bows several years ago that were backed with Kevlar. The issue with them and the reason there are not so many left is that as the limb worked the crossing fibers in the kevlar would cut eachother. I am not sure why it happened with that and not with woven fiberglass or carbon but it did not work out to well.
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: hova on January 24, 2011, 12:54:00 PM
the fiberglass sort of bonds with the resin better than kevlar. keevlar is a polymer , and resin has some issues toward plastics of some kinds.


i would think it would make sense to remove the cross cut from the weave and lay it like you would sinew.


try some kevlar with some hide glue eh?


-hov
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: paparick on January 24, 2011, 01:04:00 PM
That makes sense considering the tensile properties of kevlar.  I didn't think about it cutting, though.  I may have to just reserve it for aircraft repairs.
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: bigcountry on January 24, 2011, 04:24:00 PM
I have access to a bunch of the stuff they use to protect fiber optic fibers.  I thought about trying it.  Wouldn't be much different than using 452X string material.
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: mater on January 24, 2011, 06:58:00 PM
Wonder if the smc epoxy would hold with it. Its made for the polymer stuff.
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: Sal on January 24, 2011, 10:48:00 PM
Kevlar bowstrings were a breakthrough in the late 70's and early 80's and the olympic bows were outfitted with them.  Then they developed the reputation for snapping without warning.  They were supposed to be good for 1000 shots and then snap.  The more common "space age fibers" we use today are made out of spectra/dyneema.
Title: Re: Kevlar...anyone ever used it?
Post by: hova on January 24, 2011, 11:16:00 PM
yeah i wouldnt use kevlar for a string. same reason i wouldnt use fiberglass...


im still using artificial sinew for strings...

-hov