TPU vs Hypalon?

SpearRib · 22 October 2019, 00:53

Ive always considered Hypalon the gold standard.

But Ive been reading a few sites now claiming TPU is better. Holds air better (that seems to be a fair claim given welding over glue), is more abrasion resistant (not sure about that). And I have no idea on material longevitiy.

Any thoughts on someone in the know on TPU?

beamishken · 22 October 2019, 14:48

I had some dealings with a polyurethane boat at our sailing club. The club had 4 ribcrafts and 1xs boat the xs being polyurethane. At about 5 years old the glued seams on the xs began to fail tapes lifting and attachments coming off. At 7yo one of the chambers failed completely in discussion with xs the failure was attributed to uv damage to the glue as the boat lived outside uncovered permanently. Xs were very decent about it and retubed the boat at a fraction of the usual cost which we thought very fair considering the boat was well outside its warranty. The guys at XS assured us that due to changes in the material that the glue issues were no longer a problem & the main body of the tubes were largely heat welded. I did see some at the factory & they do look better when heat welded, looking more like 1 piece rather than jointed pieces. The retube was offered in pu or hypalon but it was decided to go with hypalon.
Now whilst the club had an issue with the pu boat when you sat the xs with its old tubes next to the similar age ribcrafts the xs was far tidier& had much less abrasion damage & hadn't faded like the ribcrafts. All the ribcrafts got the tops of their tubes clad in wear patches to preserve them from further deterioration.
While I personally like hypalon because its so easy to work with if you need to repair it or add accessories I think the pu does stand up to use better & assuming the glue issues are no longer a problem I can see there being more pu boats sold especialy being welded seams
I dont think pu will take over but its definitely going to give hypalon a run for its money

Maximus · 22 October 2019, 15:03

This subject has been done to death on here....I suggest you do a search.
If you're too lazey or disinclined...
....Hyperlon!

beamishken · 22 October 2019, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

This subject has been done to death on here....I suggest you do a search.
If you're too lazey or disinclined...
....Hyperlon!

I think you'll find most comparisons are between pvc & hypalon, polyurethane is significantly different to pvc and much closer in terms of cost and durability.
Materials are constantly evolving therefore fresh discussion is worth the forum space.
You dont have to read if you dont want to, fresh discussion about changing products is exactly whats needed

Or we could continue reading about old seagulls when looking for info on a new engine[emoji26]

GuyC · 22 November 2019, 08:57

Came across this whilst browsing.

https://www.inflatablesolutions.com/...alon.php#tabc2

Locozodiac · 24 November 2019, 13:34

PU is a great material alternative between PVC and Hypalon. Costs more than PVC and less than Hypalon in their respective thickness whether the usual available 0.9 or 1.2 mm fabrics. Build all my Sibs and Ribs in German PU 1.2mm fabrics. If well treated and cared for will last years to come.

Happy Boating

Orwell boy · 24 November 2019, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyC

Came across this whilst browsing.

https://www.inflatablesolutions.com/...alon.php#tabc2

I think the suggestion to keep your eye on the moving ball in no uncertain terms has been somewhat confirmed here , i note the wing henshaw tag on the top of the article

SpearRib · 04 March 2020, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

This subject has been done to death on here....I suggest you do a search.
If you're too lazey or disinclined...
....Hyperlon!

Pull your head in FISH.

Thank you everybody for the considered comparisons. To me TPU treated fabrics welded comes out on top. But Ive only ever owned Hypalon. Either is good vs straight out standard PVC or the old Zodiac material.

RoyP · 04 March 2020, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

Pull your head in FISH.

Thank you everybody for the considered comparisons. To me TPU treated fabrics welded comes out on top. But Ive only ever owned Hypalon. Either is good vs straight out standard PVC or the old Zodiac material.

I am going for a retube on Sea Fury, Its going in on the 14th March. Sea Fury is garaged when not in use, so not open to the elements, the price is the same as hyperlon, which was the original material. I have seen both results for the retube and understand the comments given here, for both. My PU retube is heat welded. It will be fitted to my spec, regarding the stick on bits. Its just used for fun now. I did use it for diving (Non club).

No doubt there will be comments on both sides of the 'boat'.

SpearRib · 05 March 2020, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyP

No doubt there will be comments on both sides of the 'boat'.

I see what you did there bro

Yep, people will often stick with tried and true. But so many articles from navy etc posted on the net of benefits of welded TPU, I think I will give it a go next. Here it costs about $7k to do TPU and $3k to do PVC. about $5500 for Hypalon, 14ft boat.

Roflhat · 07 September 2022, 23:18

Apologies for bumping the thread

Anyone know the weight difference between TPU and PVC?

Poly · 10 September 2022, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Apologies for bumping the thread

Anyone know the weight difference between TPU and PVC?

Both are available in different thicknesses and therefore weights. For normal people I doubt it makes any difference - I’m guessing you are trying to work out if you can save a few kilos to get 0.1 knots more? Would think part of that equation is how thin are you willing to go - get 0.1 knots but fail in half the time? 0.3 knots but only survives one record setting trip etc?

Roflhat · 10 September 2022, 09:13

Yep, always looking for that edge

Have done some research, so thundercats are made of Valmex which is 1000 g/m2. Tornado and XS are made of TPU which is either 1150 or 1350 but considerably tougher. Speaking to Chiorino who provide the material for them, the spec sheet of 730 g/m2 TPU is almost identical to the Valmex. So potentially 27% lighter for the same longevity and higher UV resistance. Still need to check cost...

fastasfox · 10 September 2022, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

This subject has been done to death on here....I suggest you do a search.
If you're too lazey or disinclined...
....Hyperlon!

The search bar is not the best on this forum and opinions change as does technology....not sure the op is lazy though.

SpearRib · 14 September 2022, 05:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastasfox

The search bar is not the best on this forum and opinions change as does technology....not sure the op is lazy though.

Used the advanced site search features in google to search any site for specific words etc. That would be the best bet if this search engine isnt finding what it should, Ive never tested it, but definitely use advanced features when doing a search.

I presume other search engines have something similar. Just everyone seems to have heard of google.