The composite is a combination of two immiscible materials; the reinforcement and the matrix which, when combined together, have superior mechanical properties (lightness, rigidity…) The matrix used is polyester or epoxy resin and the reinforcements used are made of fibreglass, polyamide, carbon or Kevlar. In order to harden the resin, a percentage of an additive called the hardener is added. “This chemical reaction called polymerisation will allow the fibre + resin assembly to become rigid.

The thicker a material is, the stiffer and heavier it will be. But unlike metal, which is composed of a single material that is just thickened, composite offers the possibility of assembling several materials together, which will considerably increase its thickness without increasing its density. The result is a “composite sandwich”.

The composite sandwich is an assembly of two thin outer skins superimposed on a light but thick inner core. The core material is normally a low-strength material (closed or open-cell foam, balsa, wood, etc.), but its greater thickness gives the sandwich material high flexural rigidity and low overall density.

All of our vessels are built with these material assemblies following strict quality processes, both at the design stage, through compliance with BV, LLOYD, DNV… regulatory standards, and throughout the manufacturing process.

Couach Shipyard has developed an expertise in combining composite materials through the infusion process. We use this specific process for the manufacture of hulls, structures but also in the composition of many parts of the ship.