Feasibility of elastomeric composites as alternative materials for marine applications: A compendious review on their properties and opportunities

Abstract

The term elastomer is a curtailment of two words, which are elastic and polymers. Accordingly, elastomers are polymer materials with elasticity. The significant challenges hindering the development of materials for naval applications, similar to other engineering sectors, include achieving a competitive light elastomeric structure. Marine structures are susceptible to various damage responses due to various loads throughout their service life. Being flexible, elastomer has a low modulus of elasticity, exhibits higher values of failure strain and yield strength. In these regards, elastomers are attractive materials for applications that require elasticity because they offer substantial advantages compared to traditional materials. However, the low fire resistance of these elastomeric materials jeopardizes their use in some critical applications. As a result, elastomeric blends and composites containing flame retardant (FR) additives are commonly used. On the other hand, elastomers possess (i) high strength-to-weight ratio, (ii) excellent impact properties, (iii) low infrared, magnetic, and radar signatures, (iv) excellent durability, and (v) high resilience to extreme loads. Hence, the scope of this study focuses on review and awareness regarding the feasibility of marine applications of elastomers/elastomeric composites, their current scientific and technological drawbacks, and future outlooks or prospects to support several applications in the marine industry.

Evolution, Prospects, and Predicaments of Polymers in Marine Applications: A Potential Successor to Traditional Materials

“…The maritime industry requires materials that could increase the durability, contribute toward weight reduction, and minimize production costs of marine structures. The search for a realistic alternative by naval architects and vessel builders, with properties that are prerequisites for marine applications, has created competition to fabricate new materials [20]. Earlier, steel was predominantly preferred as the traditional material for marine applications.…”

An Overview of Natural Fiber Composites for Marine Applications

“…Hybridization in this section refers to the inclusion of more than one type of reinforcement in the composite material, usually merging glass fibers (or less commonly carbon fibers) and natural fibers, aiming at combining the advantageous properties of natural fibers (NFs) (such as their environmental benefits and damping characteristics [186,187]) with the favorable mechanical properties of synthetic fibers [91,188]. In addition, there are also some chemical and physical advantages specific to the marine environment that hybridization can improve, such as resistance to fire, corrosion, fungus, microbial degradation, and aqueous delamination [189].…”

Scientometric Review and Thematic Areas for the Research Trends on Marine Hoses

“…Currently, there is still a high global dependence on fossil fuels which require lighter sustainable materials for energy production [1,2]. Thus, the recent need to develop sustainable materials has led to the utilization of polymers as hybrid materials across different fields [3][4][5][6]. The interest in hybrid polymers such as elastomers has grown significantly over the past three (3) decades, along with scientific study.…”