Floating Pneumatic Rubber Fenders

What is a Yokohama Pneumatic Fender?

Floating pneumatic rubber fenders are rubber marine pneumatic floating fender for ships. Tested by ISO 17357. Yokohama floating pneumatic fenders are typically referred to “Yokohama fenders” ” floating yokohama fenders”. Floating pneumatic rubber fenders are one of rubber fenders among ships and offshore fendering systems. Pneumatic rubber fenders are manufactured with heavy duty synthetic-tire-cord-rubber dipped layers with inflatable air sealed. Floating Pneumatic fenders work on water, as a bumper to absorb energy generated while two vessels or barges for STS transfers and Ship to berthing (STB) operations.

Floating pneumatic rubber fenders construction

In line with ISO standards, our company manufactures floating pneumatic fenders. These fenders consist of an outer rubber layer, reinforced synthetic tire cord rubber dipped layers, and an inner rubber layer. The Yokohama pneumatic floating fenders we produce fully meet the requirements of the International Standard ISO 17357: Ships and marine technology – High pressure floating pneumatic fenders.

Outside Rubber Layer
The outer rubber layer of the rubber floating pneumatic fenders is engineered to have high tensile and tear strength. This characteristic enables it to endure the harsh sea weather conditions and the demanding working environments typically encountered in marine operations. Its primary function is to safeguard the inner rubber layer and the middle reinforced synthetic - tire - cord rubber dipped layers of the floating marine pneumatic fenders. By doing so, it protects these inner components from abrasion and damage caused by external forces, ensuring the overall integrity and longevity of the fender.

Reinforced Layers - Tire - Cord Rubber Dipped Layers
The reinforced synthetic - tire - cord - rubber dipped layers serve as the structural backbone of the pneumatic fenders. These layers are carefully interlaced, either through a molding process or manually, to provide additional reinforcement to the inner body of the marine pneumatic floating fenders. This intricate construction not only enhances the fender's strength but also contributes to its ability to withstand the pressures and stresses associated with marine applications. The reinforcement provided by these layers is crucial for maintaining the fender's shape and performance under various operating conditions.

Inner Layer
The inner rubber layer plays a vital role in the functionality of the floating pneumatic marine fenders. It is designed to be airtight and is filled with pressurized air. The air pressure inside the inner rubber layer can be set at either 50 Kpa or 80 Kpa, depending on the specific requirements of the application. This pressurized air forms the core of the floating pneumatic marine fenders, providing the necessary buoyancy and cushioning effect during ship docking and mooring operations. The inner rubber layer's ability to hold the pressurized air is essential for the fender to perform its intended function effectively and safely.

Features

Material Properties
Our rubber floating pneumatic marine fenders are crafted from heavy - duty rubber layers. These layers possess remarkable material properties, including excellent tear resistance, strong anti - aging capabilities, and high toughness. The superior tear resistance ensures that the fenders can withstand the abrasive forces often encountered in marine environments, such as rubbing against rough surfaces during docking or mooring. The anti - aging property allows the fenders to maintain their integrity and performance over an extended period, even when exposed to harsh weather conditions, sunlight, and saltwater. The high toughness of the rubber enables the fenders to endure the cyclic loads that occur when vessels are in motion or during repeated docking and undocking operations. These material properties are crucial as they guarantee a higher performance of the Yokohama pneumatic rubber fenders, especially when barges are operating under severe conditions.

Easy Installation
When compared to solid marine rubber fenders or foam - filled marine fenders, floating pneumatic rubber fenders have a distinct advantage in terms of installation. Despite having chains and tire nets on the outside, their inner fender body is filled with air, which significantly reduces their weight. This lighter weight makes them easier to handle and install on the sides of vessels. They can be conveniently installed using guy - ropes or hot - dipped galvanized chains. The simplicity of the installation process not only saves time but also reduces the labor and equipment requirements associated with installing heavier fender types. This ease of installation makes floating pneumatic rubber fenders a practical choice for various marine applications.

Good Performance
Floating Yokohama rubber pneumatic fenders exhibit excellent performance even under challenging conditions. Even when under a compression of 15 degrees, these fenders continue to function effectively. They have the ability to resist shearing forces, which are common during the movement and docking of vessels. This resistance to shearing forces helps to maintain the structural integrity of the fenders and prevents them from being damaged or deformed. Additionally, they demonstrate a high energy absorption capacity. This means that they can effectively absorb the impact energy generated when a vessel approaches a dock or another structure, reducing the force of the impact on both the vessel and the structure. As a result, pneumatic rubber floating fenders exert a relatively low and consistent hull pressure, providing a safer and more stable docking and mooring experience for vessels.

Floating fenders’ dimension and specification
Floating yokohama type pneumatic marine rubber fenders are specified in terms of Guaranteed Energy Absorption(GEA), Reaction Force at GEA deflection, and Hull Pressure at GEA deflection of rubber floating pneumatic fenders. Here follows are two standarded dimension lists based on initial pressure 50 Kpa and 80 Kpa.