Dacron (and new materials used as) weights

[joriws]

Flysurfer Peak 5 product page states:
TX-Light: 33g / m2 (main cloth)
DLX+: 44g / m2 (LE cloth)

That's how the kites are so light weight and hang/drift in the air close to zero apparent wind i.e. riding wave down wind towards kite.

[DanielorDani]

Really I have the feeling that some brands like Naish are zero innovating.
My question about all of this new materials is that, many brands are teasting them for long time, so much time needs a prototype to become real?
What has Ozone so magic that makes so light kites?

[Greenturtle]

In one of the videos reese myerscough does testing aluula strength against some dimension polyant dacron, the dacron weight is spec’ed at 157 gsm. Which is lighter than “standard” but not a huge difference.
I assume this is the weight of dacron used on the HL series and classic flites. It is the lighter bladder material however that helps makes the further difference in weight for those kites and ozone kites as well.

A dacron replacement that allowed for the elimination of bladders entirely would be a logical next step to try to reduce weight and increase simplicity.

[leeuwen]

Although a bladderless kites is an interesting concept you would need to glue every seam since stitching would obviously puncture the material. Seems like a very tall order for the adhesive: You would need a glue that’s strong enough to withstand 10+ PSI (arguably a lot more in crashes) , bond to both the leading edge and the slippery canopy material and be very flexible (so you can roll up the kite) and stay that way over multiple years.
Also, the finished product needs to be lighter then a bladder so big fabric overlaps with lots of surface area for the glue to bind isn’t a solution if you aim to save weight.

So I don’t think that’s the way the industry will be going.
Actually, the next major weight saving is already lined up: aluula has a ripstop replacement and IIRC they are also working on a lighter bladder. OR think they will be able to create a 10m kite under 1kg with all that new stuff.
They are already lining up a wing with this new material in the near future and aim to have a kite in the next year.
Of course the price will probably be insane.

On a price related note: the Aluula company is also working on a slightly heavier material (compared to Aluula gold) that can be used for the leading edge without the eye watering price level.

[Greenturtle]

Although a bladderless kites is an interesting concept you would need to glue every seam since stitching would obviously puncture the material. Seems like a very tall order for the adhesive: You would need a glue that’s strong enough to withstand 10+ PSI (arguably a lot more in crashes) , bond to both the leading edge and the slippery canopy material and be very flexible (so you can roll up the kite) and stay that way over multiple years.
Also, the finished product needs to be lighter then a bladder so big fabric overlaps with lots of surface area for the glue to bind isn’t a solution if you aim to save weight.

The whitewater raft manufacturing process would be an example to work from, the glue on a hypalon raft doesn’t let go for a looooong time and is crazy strong. There are other materials that are welded, as another possibility. Obviously the thickness/durability of the material for an LE can be a fraction of what is needed for a raft that gets hammered 200 days a year on sharp rocks, without damage. A fully inflated hypalon raft tube can literally be run over by a truck without popping, seen that ha!

I think there is potential there….perhaps an ultra thin version of hypalon type material.
Other advantages would include being able to glue-on patch from the outside without all the headaches of bladder removal/reinstall etc.

[Baptiste_FR]

Doas anyone know what type of material Slingshot is unising for their new Code and Machine Kite ?
On their website, they mention a "new reduced weight Dacron" : the 9m² is 2.7 kg and the 12m² is 3.3 kg.