Subcraft GPN in-house nanotechnology blades
Very interesting and advanced the Subcraft GNP, Graphene Nano Plates, blades promise to deliver much more power thanks to + 27% (according to Subcraft) additional reactivity and reduced fragility compared to traditional epoxy resin manufactured solutions.
In-house NANOTECHNOLOGY
During the last year Subcraft has developed nanotechnology to optimize reactivity of the blades, but also limit fragility. It is in fact true that the weak part of composite carbon fiber components is not the fiber, but the epoxy resin, which can be fragile even using the best possible solution on the market. So Subcarft has first reduced the amount of epoxy resin to a minimum value (-38% compared to standard quantities), to reduce weight and fragility. Then, to make another great step towards high end technology and performance, the company has worked hard on nanotechnology. After a lot of tests Subcraft has identified in Graphene Nano Plates (GNP) the best solution. This incredibly high-tech material has potentially an important positive effect on the properties of blades. GNP particles have the thickness of just one graphene atom. If you take just 1g of GNP and put particles one next to another, you will cover 700 squared meters!
Using ultrasound, Subcraft builds GNP particles in the epoxy resin, resulting, according to the company, in about 27% more reactivity of the blade and reduced fragility!
For example, always according to Subcraft, testing in a 25m pool the diver needs 15 strokes with Celox F400, Subcraft bestseller and value for money, to swim the length of the pool, while with Centurion blades it takes 13 strokes. With new GNP Nanotechnology blades the diver takes 11 strokes to swim one pool. This we will test at ApneaPassion to verify and confirm results of course but, if so, it is definately an amazing improvement. Surely, out of water flexion testing has given impressive reactivity indications.
To further confirm additional reliability of the GNP epoxy resin, warranty limit on breaking has been increased from 3 years to 5 years.
Technical specifications
100% top quality Toray Japanese carbon fiber, produced with vacuum infusion technology, and 6 sheets of carbon fiber laid and cut with specific directions to maximalize reactivity. The flexion is finally the effective parabolic one.
22° is the angle between blade and foot-pocket, where Subcraft suggests Pathos or Mares, according to the foot of the diver being larger or thinner. Maximum length of the blade from the curve under the foot and the tip has been measured by AP equal to 66 cm, with swallow tail flap. Perceived quality of the blade, which has a glossy surface look, is extremely high, with minute superficial holes on the surface indicating the absolute reduction to the minimum possible of GNP epoxy resin.
Weight of one blade, measured by AP, is 230 grams. Available stiffnesses are Soft, Medium and Hard. To download complete data chart of Subcraft GNP nanotechnology blades click here..
The other offer on the market
Carbonio GFT has already launched nanotechnology carbon fibre blades on the market, and ApneaPassion gave the news as first global media. Still, the GFT Force blades have an extremely high price (from 525€ with foot-pocket included), determined also by externally produced nanotech epoxy resin, which definitately increases costs for GFT.
Now Subcraft, with totally in-house production, including the nanotechnology part, has managed to control the entire process, and also costs that are kept below 400€, including foot-pocket, meaning around 30% price reduction compared with GFT, which is definately a very big difference.
Price comparison is only part of the game, as performance of Subcraft GNP and GFT Force should be compared both on reliability and performance, but surely price gap is extremely net.
Subcraft – The company
Subcraft was founded in 2014 by actual owner Daniel Pintaric, and is based in Zagreb, Croatia. The company started with production of wetsuits and carbon fiber fins. In time also wooden spearguns and accessories have been added to the product line. The strength of Subcraft today is to have the entire Research & Development and porduction in-house, with speed in design and testing of all solutions, great control on production, and cost limitation for best final cutomer price.
https://www.subcraft-store.com/
