kevinsa 0 #1 October 13, 2008 I am doing some basic research for college and I was wondering if you guys could help me out. We are studying 'materials and their purposes', and I chose the parachute fabric (particularly ram-air parachutes). I need to come up with some 'features' of this material which make it suitable for the job. Any advice on the choice of material, and its advantages over alternatives would be much appreciated. I was wondering if you could help me come up with some, before I research them. All I can think of are: Lightweight Low Porosity Durable high tensile and shear stress pliable Can you think of any others? Also, some good sources of information would be great. I sent an email to PD a couple of weeks ago but have not recieved a reply yet. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 October 13, 2008 The Parachute Manuals by Dan Poynter are great references. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #3 October 13, 2008 Add to your list resistance to microbal growth... That is why your nylon reserve can go 120 (soon to be 180 days) between repacks in the USA. Silk is not so lucky, although it has many of the desirable characteristics you listed.The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teason 0 #4 October 14, 2008 An interesting tidbit in the choice of materials is that nylon became the material of choice during WW2 when trade embargos with the east made silk impractical. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #5 October 14, 2008 parachutes have used many different versions of nylon fabric after it's introduction. Different weaves (taffeta, twill, ripstop) different weights, 1.5 ounce 1.1 ounce Different treatments calendaring, uv inhibitors, dyeing, different coatings for zp. Different porosities 80-120 cfm, 0-3 cfm, hmm lopo 60 to 80 ? no references handy. Colors of the c-9 military chute were choosen for the use after landing. Tan desert camo, od green forest camo, white sun relective and orange signaling. Companies are experimenting with nonwoven fabrics. PD's optimum reserve is a different variation on ripstop. Lots of history, lots of decisions, lots of variations. Too late for any more complete history, but don't just think ramairs Military applications of ribbon parachutes made entirely of tapes for instance.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erdnarob 1 #6 October 14, 2008 People the most suceptible to give you what you want are the parachute fabric manufacturers (check on google). Parachutes have been made successively of : waxed cotton or wool canvas, silk, twill nylon, ripstop nylon, taffeta calendered nylon with coating, low porosity ripstop nylon, one side coated nylon, two side coated nylon.Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longtall 0 #7 October 14, 2008 resistance to UV (sunlight) degradation." 90 right, five miles then cut."---Pukin Buzzards Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LloydDobbler 2 #8 October 14, 2008 Let's not forget "slippery as hell". (Because the harder you have to work at something, the more you value it.) Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #9 October 15, 2008 high tensile and shear stress ...................................................................... High tensile strength? Yes. For a long time, nylon had the highest tensile strength ... similar to spider silk. Stronger materials have been introduced since nylon was invented in the 1930's, but few are used for canopy fabric. Most of the modern zero stretch fabrics (Kevlar, polypropylene (aka Spectra and microline), Vectran, high modulus aramid, etc. work great for suspension lines, but their zero stretch properties are a disadvantage for harness, containers and canopies. A little stretch is can be an advantage when absorbing hard openings. Shear stress? I cannot picture shear in what is essentially a two dimensional fabric???? Perhaps you were referring to tear strength instead? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinsa 0 #10 October 15, 2008 Thanks for the replies everyone Quote Perhaps you were referring to tear strength instead? Yes, that is what I meant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary73 10 #11 October 16, 2008 Some other characteristics to consider: low cost availability ease of dyeing (during manufacturing, anyway) ease of cutting ease of sewing or otherwise joining resistance to heat and cold All in all, we're pretty lucky to have nylon. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
