Orlando, Fla. — PolyOne Corp. introduced its Hammerhead-brand composite panels as a weight-saving alternative to the use of plywood for marine applications.
The Hammerhead identity is intended to reflect the panels' toughness, strength and suitability for the marine market, said Matt Borowiec, general manager of PolyOne's advanced composites unit.
Using an existing format, PolyOne began development of the panels in September 2017 and distributed samples to a couple of U.S. boat builders for beta trials, Borowiec said in an interview.
PolyOne manufactures the panels of thermoplastics, continuous glass-fiber-reinforced face sheets and foam cores at a facility in Englewood, Colo. PolyOne withholds specifics about the resins, grades and foam composition.
Use of the panels can reduce production steps and improve quality and economic factors, Borowiec said.
The lightweight materials provide boat builders with an alternative to the traditional use of wood, hand lay-up and vacuum-assisted processing.
The ready-to-install panels are suitable for structural and cosmetic marine applications including bulkheads, decking, ceilings, hatches, covers, cabinetry, fittings, transoms and stringers.
"Stringers are labor intensive," Borowiec said. An assembler can position Hammerhead composite stringers directly into a boat hull.
The recyclable panels can bond to various surfaces.
Composites One of Arlington Heights, Ill., exclusively distributes the Hammerhead composite panels for PolyOne.
The advanced composites unit reports within the specialty engineered materials segment of publicly traded Avon Lake, Ohio-based PolyOne.