[QUOTE=Tom Edgerton]
Here's a thought re/ the conservation paper Sharon presented. The paper speaks in engineering terms of fabric strength, resilience, and the loss of strength in natural fibers over time. It would be well to remember that although linen loses strength ("only 25% of its original strength within 25 years") it approximates the strength of synthetics when new, i.e., plenty strong to take the wind-load of a ship under sail, or made into bags, clothing, etc., etc.,
the remaining 25% of strength is more than adequate for what's required of a painting on stretcher bars! It's the reason why canvases scores of years old still exist. QUOTE]
Richard,
Could you please give us the source of your quote? does it give the relative strength relationships vis-a-vis other materials?
I found this on JClass sail site,
http://www.quantumsails.com/products...ils.asp?CID=13
The mainsails and spinnakers are nylon and the the jibs are kevlar among other state of the art materials.
Threaded Mode
