Application Technology

Launched in Spring 2015 at the Miami International Boat Show in Florida, USA, Scout Boats Inc has unveiled its newest flagship model – LXF Series fleet leader – a project in which Huntsman Advance Materials has played a key role.

Contributing to the innovative design is the boat’s sleek, mirror finish black hull, where Huntsman Advance Materials’ Araldite® LY 1568 / Aradur® 3492 not only provides a stronger bond, but also reduces the overall weight of the boat, resulting in greater hull speed and lower fuel consumption.

In production, Araldite LY 1568 / Aradur 3492 resin and hardener were mixed and infused using a high feed MVP Patriot Pump. The high performance resin system, specially formulated for use on large parts, has a water-like viscosity that accommodates controlled resin flow throughout the laminate. This ensures complete wet-out of reinforcing fabrics without resin-starved areas even in the notched sections of the stepped hull. After infusion, the epoxy cured at room temperature and was then post-cured under a tarp with a heat blanket maintaining a 71ºC (160ºF) temperature for eight hours.

By using Araldite it was possible to reduce the number of infusion lines required, decreasing injection time from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes. In addition, the infusion moulding is faster than the previously used open moulding process. As a result, Scout is now able to produce each hull in less than a week and a completed boat every 3 to 3.5 weeks.

Matthew Pogue, commercial representative at Huntsman Corporation, commented: “Our new advanced epoxy resins post-cure at lower temperatures than previously possible. As a result, energy costs are minimised while process control is maximised.”

Based on the outstanding performance of Araldite LY 1568 / Aradur 3492 in Scout’s new 420 LXF hull, Scout is now leading the way for use of infusion for continuous production of boats by the marine industry.