Composite foam pipeline floats with prefabricated core - contg. thermoplastic spheres, for robust floats of low apparent density

摘要

Composite floats for deep sea use comprise a core of prefabricated hollow bodies held together by solvent welding: and/or a binder resin and/or a mesh cage and a thick sheath made of homogeneous impermeable foam. The sheath is moulded round a prefabricated core supported in the centre of the float mould. Suitable for mfg. split tubular floats for supporting pipelines during shallow or deep sea laying, requiring floats which are robust, corrosion resistant and buoyant at depth. The structure provides the buoyancy of large hollow enclosures of controlled size and distribution without risk of surface weakness.