New ultra-low density high performance syntactic foams
06.06.2019
Facing industry demands to reduce the volume of buoyancy and increase payload on remotely operated and autonomous vehicles (ROV/AUV) Balmoral Offshore Engineering’s technical team recently completed an extensive R&D programme to develop a new range of low-density syntactic foams.
The main objectives were to produce a single, robust, ultra-low density material and this was achieved without compromising any of the key goals. The new 25-year design life systems feature densities spanning 385-530kg/m3 and are rated for use between 2000-7000msw.
Fraser Milne, engineering and projects director, said: “The new grades boast ultra-low density, extremely low manufacturing tolerance, excellent water ingress resistance, negligible long-term buoyancy loss and impressive mechanical properties without compromising our market-leading hydrostatic collapse pressure safety factors.
“The new materials are suitable for other deepwater applications including manned submarines, suspended oceanographic instrumentation and pipe support buoyancy. For ROV/AUV purposes the new materials can be supplied either as slab-stock or fully designed and customised buoyancy blocks.
“As the deepwater sector begins to gather pace again I would encourage interested parties to visit our website to find out more about these fantastic new solutions.”
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, UK