epoxy vs polyester strength
Question: in the 1970 and 80 a hull was made with polyester resins because epoxy was too expensive. Polyester resins ages and deteriorates with wear and tear quite quickly. like stress lines will show and UV damage. But how much of the strength is lost, example: suppose a hull is built in 1984 (twenty years old) and has been left out side in varying degrees of temperature change, compare to a hull that has been inside a garage out of weather and away from extreme temperature change. What is the range of structure weakness that can be expected. Has the fiberglass hull now only 50% of its original strength, or what??? A few years ago a large fiberglass hull sailboat, approximate 50 feet, was going through the panama canal, a small tug was rafted alone side, rafting along side is the common way to transient, the influx of the water pressure pushed the tug against the sailboat hull and it just collapsed, it was only fifteen years old. witness to the event said it just popped as soon as the pressure got to a certain point, not a slow crushing moment
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MC Carpenter