The Effect of UV Radiation on Different Types of Sail Cloth
School Name
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Grade Level
9th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to determine how different types of popular sailcloth reacted under pressure after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for one week. The experiment could help sailors decide what their sails should be made of. The types of sail cloth used were: dacron, kevlar laminate, and polyester laminate. Seven samples of each were cut out with one of each acting as the control group. After exposure, the samples were tested with a Mullen Burst Tester at Clemson University. The hypothesis was that if the sail cloths were exposed to UVR for a week, then they would react and weaken under UVR with polyester being the strongest and dacron being the weakest. The null hypothesis was that if the samples were exposed to UVR for a week, the samples would not react and would not weaken due to the radiation. The results favored the null hypothesis with each variable weakening insignificantly, and dacron being the strongest, and kevlar laminate being the weakest. In conclusion, the sail cloth was not exposed to the radiation long enough to inflict any serious damage.
Recommended Citation
Louthian, Landon H., "The Effect of UV Radiation on Different Types of Sail Cloth" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 266.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/266
Start Date
4-11-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
4-11-2015 2:45 PM
The Effect of UV Radiation on Different Types of Sail Cloth
The purpose of this project was to determine how different types of popular sailcloth reacted under pressure after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for one week. The experiment could help sailors decide what their sails should be made of. The types of sail cloth used were: dacron, kevlar laminate, and polyester laminate. Seven samples of each were cut out with one of each acting as the control group. After exposure, the samples were tested with a Mullen Burst Tester at Clemson University. The hypothesis was that if the sail cloths were exposed to UVR for a week, then they would react and weaken under UVR with polyester being the strongest and dacron being the weakest. The null hypothesis was that if the samples were exposed to UVR for a week, the samples would not react and would not weaken due to the radiation. The results favored the null hypothesis with each variable weakening insignificantly, and dacron being the strongest, and kevlar laminate being the weakest. In conclusion, the sail cloth was not exposed to the radiation long enough to inflict any serious damage.
