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DARK ART of Carbon Fibre By Greg Sellentin
Lighter and stronger?
Lately the use of carbon fibre
technology in the construction of dog sleds has become more commonplace. Carbon fibre is a material that consists of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon. Carbon fibres are used in high-strength composite materials for aircraft, automobile and architectural structures, and in other applications where light materials capable of withstanding high stress are required. It can be used to strengthen existing material, or on its own to produce a lightweight and strong component for a dog sled. ¶ I first saw carbon fibre used for the stanchions on a Norwegian brand OT sprint sled at the 1995 IFSS WC races. Relatively small diameter tubing brought on the response from obervers that it was a ridiculous material to use in such a critical area of stress in a dog sled. But, having been very familiar with the almost mythical, at the time, substance my first thought was, “Ok, here we go again.” I had seen the “lightweight arms race” take place in many sports equipment I had been involved with from windsurfing, to racing bicycles. Although the beauty of these lightweight parts and the weight savings were real, the high cost and complexity of manufacturing of such parts tended to drive the cost of participation higher and higher. ¶ Are space-age composite materials cost effective, useful, or even recommended in the construction of a dog sled, or are they overkill and just the latest trend or marketing fad? I spoke with a couple of well known and respected sled makers and the answers were interesting. 12
November/December 2011