Yokohama type pneumatic fenders are inflatable rubber fenders made of a wear-resistant rubber outer layer and a reinforcement layer. It is then filled with air to absorb collision energy during berthing. If the fender&#;s rubber is damaged, the fender will deflate and the pneumatic fender will lose its function.
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Similar to foam fenders, these rubber floating fenders are relatively light (for their size) and provide good cushioning due to their pneumatic properties.
Foam filled fenders consist of an internal steel core, closed-cell foam, a reinforcing cord layer and external elastomeric skin. The foam core is usually surrounded by a soft and abrasion-resistant polyurethane layer and a fabric reinforcement layer that is highly resistant to corrosion. Foam fenders will not outgas and damage their polyurethane coating.
Generally, the &#;closed cell foam&#; used in these fenders is usually a material such as EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) or PE (Polyethylene).
Both materials resist water absorption and are ideal for marine use. In addition, both generally provide efficient energy absorption, and good chemical resistance.
Also, the weight absorption ratio of both materials is quite good, so they are often used as fenders.
Both fenders have their own different characteristics. In order to compare the two, we have summarized the following comparisons:
Durability is difficult to measure without considering deployment conditions (operating conditions) and usage rates.
However, a distinct advantage of foam-filled fenders over pneumatic rubber fenders is that they do not deflate.
When the outer rubber of the Yokohama-type pneumatic fender is punctured, the fender will deflate and the pneumatic fender will lose its function. For foam fenders, they do not leak air, but the energy absorption efficiency after damage is much lower.
There are some differences in performance between Yokohama fenders and foam fenders. As the air in the pneumatic fender can flow freely, the energy intake will gradually keep the distribution when the impact of the fender is at a certain angle with the pneumatic fender.
On the other hand, with foam fenders or fixed rubber fenders, the &#;load distribution&#; on the boat wall will not be the same. There are reports that foam-filled fenders absorb 40% more energy than inflatable fenders. However, its actual performance depends on the manufacturer.
Customers often use foam fenders that tend to deform during operation. Once deformed, the fender is no longer suitable for use. Not only is the energy absorption not efficient, but it may even damage the ship or the port.
In terms of price, pneumatic fenders have considerable advantages over foam fenders. Foam filled fenders can cost 3 times more than pneumatic fenders for the same size. This is because the main component of pneumatic fenders is air, which is essentially free.
However, the outer layer containing the air must be strong enough to efficiently absorb and transfer energy into the air in the event of a collision, while pushing the excess energy back as a reaction force.
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For foam fenders, on the other hand, it&#;s an ultra-efficient closed-cell foam core that absorbs energy completely (repels excess energy back as a reaction force). So, for a similarly sized fender, the amount of material used is far more than rubber.
Both foam-filled and pneumatic fenders require very little maintenance. However, regular visual inspections are still required.
For pneumatic fenders, just add air periodically (about once a year). Foam filled fenders do not have this concern. Therefore, foam fenders have a slight advantage over pneumatic fenders at this point.
Furthermore, since the Yokohama pneumatic fenders are inflated at work, they can also be (temporarily) transported in a non-inflated state. The advantage is that the fenders take up less space during transport. However, for long-term storage, it is best to (partially) fill the fenders with air to ensure the rubber stays in top condition.
It is important to consider your actual needs, as well as your budget and expectations, when deciding whether to choose a pneumatic or foam-filled fender.
Typically for smaller fenders, such as those less than 2.0m in diameter, foam fenders and pneumatic fenders are similar in cost, but foam fenders offer superior performance.
However, for large size fenders, the cost will play a decisive role. This is the reason why most people consider using pneumatic rubber fenders.
The pneumatic fender is a kind of buffer, also called Yokohama fender, because it was invented in by a rubber product company in Yokohama, Japan. The interior is filled with high-pressure air. It can be easily deflated, so that it can be easily relocated and re-commissioned. The pneumatic fender is used to absorb the kinetic energy of the ship docking, dock wall or ship docking. Fenders can be applied to all types of ships from cargo ships to cruise ships, ferries and private yachts, and can prevent damage to ships and berthing structures.
Pneumatic fender sizes
The size of the inflatable pneumatic fender has a set of standard sizes, which is specified in the industry production standard ISO. Determine the size of the pneumatic fender according to the existing common ship size. pneumatic fenders have 12 standard diameter sizes and 13 standard length sizes. They form 17 standard pneumatic rubber fender standard sizes through different combinations. The diameter range of the pneumatic fender is 0.5m~4.5m, and the length range is 1m~12m. Commonly used sizes in ship-to-ship operations are 3.3mx6.5m and 2mx3.5m.
Nowadays, many end users have special size requirements, and most manufacturers can customize non-standard size pneumatic fenders according to customer requirements to meet the special needs of users.
As a manufacturer and supplier, we understand the buyer&#;s desire to buy high-quality products at a low price. However, in a rational analysis, cheap products must cut production costs, and product quality cannot be guaranteed. Sunhelm purchases pure natural rubber sheet materials with very few impurities. We don&#;t want customers to receive products that are too poor in quality and lead to low safety, so that the whole process is unpleasant to use&#;So even if the price of other manufacturers in China No matter how low it is, we will not compete with them for low prices. Sunhelm always believes that you get what you pay for, resists unhealthy low-price competition, and hopes to bring true high-quality, cost-effective pneumatic fender products to compatriots in the maritime industry all over the world.
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