PVC foam buoyancy material is a closed-cell foam with the key characteristics of extremely low density, high buoyancy, and very low water absorption, making it suitable for long-term use in shallow waters from the surface down to several hundred meters.
Applicable water depth: typically used in the range from the water surface down to approximately 300 meters. Hull-cleaning ROVs usually operate in port basins and near the waterline of vessel hulls, where water depths are generally shallow—well within the suitable range for PVC foam materials.
Water absorption: The closed-cell structure results in extremely low water absorption, ensuring long-term stable buoyancy performance for robots operating under repeated immersion and emergence conditions.
Processability: PVC foam is easy to cut, shape, and machine, allowing flexible customization of form according to robotic structures.
Selection Recommendations:
Maximize buoyancy: Choose models with a density of 0.08–0.13 g/cm³, which provide sufficient buoyancy with minimal volume and weight—ideal for weight-sensitive robot designs.
Higher strength required: If the robot structure is subjected to significant stress or requires a safety margin in strength, a slightly denser model can be selected, which also offers correspondingly higher pressure resistance.
Overall, PVC foam buoyancy material is an ideal choice for Hull-cleaning ROVs operating in shallow waters, offering a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness.
