Composites Make Waves in the Marine Industry

The demand for composites in the marine industry remains strong in order to build boats that are lighter, stronger, and more fuel-efficient. With boats exposed to extreme environmental conditions like salt, wind, and high-pressure waves, boat manufacturers are more often considering the benefits of advanced composites, such as carbon fiber and epoxy resins, to produce reliable and durable structural marine parts.

The boat manufacturing industry rode the wave of popularity amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, total new boat sales have showed a 30% increased year over year during May and June of 2020 and have remained strong through 2021 and 2022.

Exploring the epoxy possibilities

With the boating market’s popularity and growth, the market for epoxy resin in marine applications is expected to grow over the next five years. The use of epoxy resin in boat manufacturing can produce structures like hulls with less weight than traditional materials, guaranteeing faster speeds, improved performance, and reduced fuel consumption. Boats that utilize high-performance composite parts can optimize the strength-to-weight ratio of major construction components to reduce overall weight.

When epoxy resin is used with the vacuum infusion processes (VIP), manufacturers can produce high-quality parts that offer performance and environmental sustainability, as well as chemical and thermal resistance of the resin.

 A wake zone of composites production

Highly compatible with epoxy resin, carbon fiber has boundless applications in a myriad of industries, with marine included. Carbon fiber is gaining in popularity in the manufacture of racing boats and yachts. Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites is increasingly being used to achieve weight reduction and improve performance while withstanding extreme environmental conditions.

Composites One is the one-stop shop for the marine manufacturer’s composites material needs.

Learn more about the use of advanced composites in the marine industry.