Rubber Fender

Rubber fender, which is installed on the dock or ship, is used to absorb collision energy, in order to protect ship or dock.

Classification

Normally, rubber fender is divided in two parts based on structure: Solid Rubber Fender (non-floating) and Floating Rubber Fender.
Solid rubber fender is anti-collision equipment of dock or ship, with wide range of application. Based on the force situation, it can divide into D Type, Cone Type, Super Cell Type, Rectangular Type, Cylindrical Type etc.
Floating rubber fender can be free-floating. Based on the difference of inside buffer medium, it is divided into Pneumatic Rubber Fender and Filled Rubber Fender.
Pneumatic rubber fender can absorb energy via compressed air.
Filled Rubber Fender is made of closed cell material, like EVA, foam rubber etc.

Feature and application

Solid rubber fender has higher absorption energy and reaction force.
Meanwhile, it has low cost, long lifespan, easy assembly and maintenance.
That is a good protective device to be installed on the ship or dock.
Floating rubber fender is a newer fender. Compared with solid rubber fender, the main features are large deformation, high absorption energy, low reaction force, free-floating, easy assembly etc. Usually, it is used as areas of ship to ship, ship to wharf. Due to free-floating, it also is suitable for dock installation of higher tidal level.
Filled rubber fender is suitable for bad weather based on lifespan and no need of repair, like offshore drilling platform.

Standard

HG/T 2866-2003 Rubber Fenders>, are adopted industry standards of solid rubber fender at present. The industry standards of pneumatic rubber fender are and ISO17357:2002 < High pressure Floating pneumatic rubber fenders >. Filled rubber fender is a new product for only a few years. Non standards can be used nowadays.