Composites Use in Marine Applications
Infused, fiberglass/polyester composite boat hulls have been built since the mid-1900s, expanding over time to include additional resins and foam cores. Composites continue to be a mainstay for various types of boats and luxury and racing yachts, and now include newer innovations such as carbon fiber precision hydrofoils and recycled carbon fiber or bio-based resins.
Latest Marine Articles
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Diab expands buoyancy services through SCS acquisition
Global composite subsea buoyancy services are strengthened and broadened with Subsea Composite Solutions’ expertise.
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MerConcept, Extracthive integrate rCF components into racing yacht construction
Development and integration of recycled composite ballast dorade vents for an IMOCA class yacht and other ongoing projects demonstrate a push for greater circularity in the marine industry.
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Base Materials subsea buoyancy foams earn DNV type approval
Low-density syntactic foams have been qualified for use in 11,500-meter ocean depths in addition to approval of manufacture.
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Developing bonded composite repair for ships, offshore units
Bureau Veritas and industry partners issue guidelines and pave the way for certification via StrengthBond Offshore project.
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Bio-based composite Skaw A foiling scow yacht is built with Greenpoxy resins
Sicomin has partnered with Skaw Sailing and Shoreteam to deliver a foiling yacht design for cruising that embodies durability and performance with a low environmental impact.
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Sunreef Yachts completes 43-meter single-shot hull infusion project
Sunreef 43M Eco electric catamaran, with a composite surface of 1,700 square meters, is considered to have the world’s largest infused hull.
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Latest Marine News And Updates
MarineShift360 project launches new initiatives for marine industry sustainability
Life cycle assessment (LCA) tool and Industry Accelerator and University Outreach programs are designed to fast-track decarbonization as regulatory frameworks tighten and consumer demand for sustainability grows.
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ORPC Ireland, Queen’s begin X-Flow project for hydrokinetic turbine testing
Deployment of CFRP turbine technology to Strangford Lough will provide insight into blade and rotor performance, predictive maintenance and grid-scale benefits of tidal energy using real tide conditions.
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Nlcomp is selected as a World Sailing award finalist for rComposite
Third World Sailing award nomination highlights the company’s focus on marine innovation using sustainable composite materials.
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REGENT begins next phase of seaglider prototype development
REGENT features the full-scale Viceroy seaglider prototype, made of composites, as it begins hardware and systems integration.
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CorPower Ocean secures funding to commercialize wave energy
CorPower Ocean announces significant investment in its wave energy technology that converts its motion into electricity via a filament-wound fiberglass buoy design.
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Candela C-8 hydrofoil boat marks record trip across the Baltic
The electric vessel, claimed to be the first to cross the Baltic Sea, cuts traditional refueling needs in half, achieves 95% less operating costs, during the 150-nautical-mile journey.
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Featured Posts
Evolving natural fiber technology to meet industry sustainability needs
From flax fiber composite boats to RV exterior panels to a circularity model with partnerships in various end markets, Greenboats strives toward its biomaterials and sustainable composites vision in an ever-changing market.
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Revisiting the OceanGate Titan disaster
A year has passed since the tragic loss of the Titan submersible that claimed the lives of five people. What lessons have been learned from the disaster?
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European boatbuilders lead quest to build recyclable composite boats
Marine industry constituents are looking to take composite use one step further with the production of tough and recyclable recreational boats. Some are using new infusible thermoplastic resins.
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Finnish boatbuilder balances history, innovation in fiberglass composites design
CW Top Shops honoree Sargo Oy shares its successes in upgrading operations from hand layup to infusion, employing low-waste manufacturing practices, research in large-format 3D printing for mold production and more.
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Plant tour: BeSpline/Addcomp, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
Composites automation specialist increases access to next-gen technologies, including novel AFP systems and unique 3D parts using adaptive molds.
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The lessons behind OceanGate
Carbon fiber composites faced much criticism in the wake of the OceanGate submersible accident. CW’s publisher Jeff Sloan explains that it’s not that simple.
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FAQ: Marine
How are composites used in boatbuilding?
Boats and yachts have featured fiberglass composite boat hulls, decks and other structures for many years. These are typically fabricated via infusion, hand layup and/or sprayup methods. Carbon fiber/epoxy can be used in applications requiring even lighter weight to increase speed or fuel efficiency, such as in sailing boats or racing boats.
More recently, new international regulations have allowed developments in composite decks, superstructures, rudders and other components for large ships as well.
Why use composites in boatbuilding and marine applications?
- Composites are attractive in marine applications due to corrosion resistance, as well as lightweighting that composites can provide compared to metals or wood can reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and vessel draft, helping to improve sustainability.
- Source: Removing barriers to lightweighting ships with composites
