Chemical Components of Boat Materials and Purposes

Before the Volvo Ocean Race began, I was discussing the construction of the boat with our boat builder, Adrian Grey, and our sailmaker, Richard Kiff. Although the materials we could use were limited by the official handbook, we still had to make wise choices. The various components of the Camper must be durable and long-lasting to withstand the extreme weather conditions of the Volvo Ocean Race. 

The sails of the Camper are responsible for its propulsion and control its movement. Bowmen and pitmen on the boat are responsible for hoisting, dropping and controlling the sails to move the vessel. The sails are constructed from carbon fibre, which can withstand tough weather but weighs little, so it won’t impair the boat's movement. The fibres are also used in masts, ropes and cords, as they are non-corrosive and durable. The material can last for most of the race’s legs without needing to be replaced, which saves time, effort, and money for the crew. 

The raw material for carbon fibre is polyacrylonitrile, an organic polymer. Carbon fibre is formed when polyacrylonitrile strands are heated to high temperatures, causing the molecules to move faster and vibrate. This process expels most of the non-carbon atoms and results in a long chain of tightly bonded carbon crystals. The fibre surfaces are then immersed in specific liquids and gases for minor oxidization, which improves their chemical and mechanical bonding properties. After, the fibres are coated with protective resin, wound onto bobbins, and spun into threads.

A vital part of navigation on the Camper is the use of large LED lights of high brightness placed on the vessel. Red lights are usually mounted on the "port" (left) side of the vessel, while green lights are mounted on the "starboard" (right) side. Conventional, low-power LEDs are used as light sources for numeric displays and indicator lights in instrumental panels. Both uses suit the LED, whose design maximizes external efficiency. The lights are made up of semiconductors: poor conductors that have atoms of another material, usually metal, added. These additional atoms change the balance of the material, adding free electrons or creating holes through which electric current can be conducted. The most common material used for LEDs is aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs). When the compound is in its pure form, all of the atoms bond to another neighbour with no spaces between. Once additional elements (impurities) are added, they change the "balance" of the substance. 

As a result of the intensity of the Volvo Ocean Race, all parts of the Camper, down to the winches and fittings, have to be mostly resistant to outside forces. 

Alloys are used for several key components because they have more advantages than pure metals. They are usually stronger and stiffer, because the atoms of each metal are different sizes. When they are bonded together, it becomes more difficult for them to move at the same time when a force is applied. 
For example, aluminum alloys are used for the steering system and deck equipment because of their resistance to corrosion. In response to a number of reactions with the environment, an oxide covering forms over the metal, protecting it from exposure to the weather and most chemicals. Aluminum alloys also increase their strength at low temperatures while remaining pliant. Stainless steel alloys form a similar oxide skin. When the surface of the metal is scratched, more oxide will quickly form and re-cover the exposed area, preventing it from corroding. They are used for fasteners and lifelines. Lead alloys have a high density and dampening capacity, which makes them useful for internal structures by isolating them from mechanical vibrations. 


Although metal is the primary component for most of the vessel, certain areas are made of moulded plastic. Plastic parts are lighter in weight as well as quicker and cheaper to produce than their metal counterparts. In addition, plastic doesn't experience corrosion at all, so it is best suited  for areas that are constantly exposed to moisture. 

Plastics are polymers: molecules that consist of long chains of atoms that repeat themselves in a specific pattern. Each repeating structure is called a “monomer”, which shares a covalent bond with adjacent monomers. Most polymer chains have carbon as one of their elements, because it has the rare ability to bond in four different directions with four other atoms. 

Injection moulding is a process used to create plastics suited for a specific purpose. Molten plastic is inserted at high pressure into a cast (an inverse of the features) where they solidify into the desired shape. This method saves time because several parts can be solidifying at the same time. 

The boat hull and rudders are also coated with liquid polyester resin to protect against corrosion. The resins are used because of their resistance to water and UV rays. Resins can be blended in with numerous reinforcing fibres (e.g. glass, carbon) to fit high strength and stiffness requirements.

If the boat is constructed properly, than fewer repairs and modifications will need to be made during the race, which could save time and mean the difference between sailing into port victorious or dead last. However, rest assured that the Camper is in good hands with the shore crew.

References

 "The Volvo Open 70 Rulebook." Volvo Ocean Race. Volvo Car Corporation, 1 Jan 2011. Web. 29 March 2012. <http://www.volvooceanrace.com/static/assets/content/media/files/m3082_volvo-open-70-    rule-v3-including-amendment-3.pdf>

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Goodman, Sidney. "Plastics Processing." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 4 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=plastic&id=526800>.

Injection Molding Process. N.d. Graphic. Injectingmoldingprocess.net

Brunelle, Daniel. "Polyester Resins." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2012. Web. 3 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=polyester&id=534200>.

 George Dinwiddle. Hull Deck. 2005. Photograph. Alberg30.orgWeb. 3 May 2012. <http://www.alberg30.org/maintenance/HullDeck/SmallBoatPatch/06-FirstLayerOfMat.jpg>.