Compound considerations in rubber fenders

A variety of factors influence the specification of a fender system, such as local marine environment, exposure of harbour basins, class and configuration of vessels expected to berth against them, the speed and direction of vessel approach and the type of berthing structure.

There are a myriad of different types of rubber fenders and whilst it’s relatively straightforward to identify their potential applications, what is more complex is determining the rubber compound and compound mixture required to absorb the kinetic energy the fenders will be required to accommodate.

The performance characteristics of the fender very much depend on the manufacturing process: compound formulation, the mixing of these rubber compounds, embedded steel surface preparation and building of the fender itself, through extrusion, wrapping or moulding. Correction factors applied to fenders are also determined, not only by a fender’s geometry, but the rubber grade and compound used. So there must be an understanding of the ways in which rubber type and grade affect performance.

The service life of a fender depends on the mechanical and physical properties of the rubber compound – usually, the higher the properties, the longer the service life. For example, it is accepted and proven that rubber compounds with a higher percentage of recycled rubber have lower mechanical properties than compounds made with virgin rubber.

Considering fender types

Fender solutions must be determined on a project by project basis to optimise performance over the entire product lifecycle. However, broadly speaking, there are certain applications that particular fender types lend themselves to.

Arch Fender
JIER manufactures two types Arch Fenders, JDA-A and JDA-B. The JDA-A fender has a rubber contact face ideal for all general purpose applications...

Roller Wheel Fender
Roller and Wheel Fenders are commonly used on the berth corners and dock entrances, also widely installed along the walls of dry docks and other...

Berthing large vessels

Cone Fender
All Cone Fenders are single piece mouldings so they are robust, long lasting and easy to install. UHMW-PE faced steel frontal frames are generally used...

Super Cell Fender
Cell Rubber Fender here mentioned is improved over the ordinary type. It has high absorption energy per unit weight and low tilt compression performance...

Unit Element Fender
Unit Element Fenders are a high performance, modular system. Element Fenders can be combined in unlimited permutations of length, orientation and Energy...

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