The marine environment places demanding requirements on materials, from saltwater exposure and humidity to UV radiation and constant vibration. In shipbuilding and marine equipment, rubber components play a role in everything from deck equipment sealing to cable and pipe penetrations, engine vibration isolation, and fender systems.
Rubber Components Used in Marine Applications
- Hatch and cover seals
- Cable and pipe penetration seals
- Engine and generator vibration mounts
- Fender rubber
- Window and porthole seals
Preferred Rubber Materials
EPDM is widely used for deck and exterior seals thanks to its high resistance to saltwater, ozone, and UV. Chloroprene (CR) is favored for engine and equipment isolation due to its balanced performance against weathering and vibration. Nitrile (NBR) is used in seals exposed to fuel and oil lines.
Performance and Durability Requirements
Rubber parts used on marine vessels must maintain their performance for years under prolonged saltwater exposure, humidity, sunlight, and constant wave and vibration loading. Watertightness is especially critical for hatch and porthole seals.
Quality Control Processes
- Salt spray and corrosion testing
- Watertightness testing
- Hardness and compression set measurement
- UV and ozone aging tests
Alpin Rubber provides technical support to customers in manufacturing custom molded and extruded rubber parts suited to the demanding marine environment.