Composite materials in shipbuilding: prospects and challenges
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Published:
Sep 2, 2025
Keywords:
composite structures; syntactic foams; polymer matrices; marine technologies; hybrid materials; ecological efficiency; maintainability; shipbuilding engineering
Main Article Content
Abstract
This article presents a systematic analysis of the potential of composite materials in modern shipbuilding, particularly from the perspective of their functional purpose, durability, technological compatibility, and environmental suitability. The aim of the work is to achieve a scientifically sound classification of composite materials suitable for use in shipbuilding, as well as to identify promising areas for their application and limitations in marine environments. The research process employs a review and analytical approach, including methods of typologization, comparative analysis of the physical and mechanical characteristics of materials, critical evaluation of literature sources, and current regulatory documents. The source base comprises over 30 scientific publications. A functional classification of composite materials is formed based on the characteristics of chemical nature, type of reinforcement, source of origin, and field of application. Five promising types of composites are highlighted: fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), syntactic foams, hybrid composites, inorganic fire-resistant systems, and environmentally oriented biocomposites. For each of these, a description of properties, typical areas of application, technological advantages, and operational limitations are provided. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the interdisciplinary approach to the evaluation of composites in the context of the marine environment - considering not only structural and economic but also environmental and regulatory factors. Prospects for the further integration of composites into critical elements of ship systems, along with the development of recycling and repair technologies, are outlined. The practical significance of the results lies in the possibility of their use for decision-making at the stages of material selection, design, standardization, and fleet renewal. The presented conclusions can be taken into account in the development of national and industry recommendations for the implementation of composite materials in marine engineering.
Article Details
How to Cite
Nuzhyn, A. (2025). Composite materials in shipbuilding: prospects and challenges. Herald of the Odessa National Maritime University, (77), 37-56. https://doi.org/10.47049/2226-1893-2025-3-37-56
Section
Tightening and strength of machine parts
References
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2. Saravanan M., & Bubesh Kumar D. (2020). A review on navy ship parts by advanced composite material. Materials Today: Proceedings, xxx, xxx. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.10.074
3. Huang X., Su S., Xu Z., Miao Q., Li W., & Wang L. (2023). Advanced composite materials for structure strengthening and resilience improvement. Buildings, 13(10), 2406. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102406
4. Cao S., Jiang T., Shi S., Gui X., Wang Y., Tang B., Xiang L., Dai X., Lin D., Zhong N., Li W., Yu J., & Wu X. (2024). Fabrication and compression properties of reinforced epoxy syntactic foam with basalt fiber. Advances in Polymer Technology, 2024, 12 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9224136
5. Jayakanth J.J., Mamidi V.K., Pugazhenthi R., Anbuchezhiyan G., & Pon- shanmugakumar A. (2021). An investigation on wear properties of SiC/WC strengthened aluminium alloy hybrid composites. Materials Today: Proce- edings, xxx(xxxx), xxx. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.416
6. Gupta N., Zeltmann S.E., Shunmugasamy V.C., & Pinisetty D. (2014). Applications of polymer matrix syntactic foams. JOM, 66(2), P. 245-254.
7. Han Z., Jang J., Souppez J.-B.R.G., Seo H.-S., & Oh D. (2023). Comparison of structural design and future trends in composite hulls: A regulatory review. International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, 15, 100558.
8. Dolz M., Martinez X., Sa D., Silva J., & Jurado A. (2024). Composite materials, technologies and manufacturing: Current scenario of European Union shipyards. Ships and Offshore Structures, 19(8), P. 1157-1172.
9. Koci, M. (2024). Composite materials behavior analyze for desk, hull and board yacht's panel. European Journal of Engineering and Formal Sciences, 7 (1), P. 1-10.
10. Kyzioł L. (2019). Composite materials for warship constructions. Journal of KONES Powertrain and Transport, 26(4), P. 135-140.
11. Vizentin G., & Vukelic G. (2020). Degradation and Damage of Composite Materials in Marine Environment. Materials Science (Medžiagotyra), 26(3), 337–343. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.26.3.22950
12. Imran M., Shi D., Tong L., & Waqas H.M. (2019). Design optimization of composite submerged cylindrical pressure hull using genetic algorithm and finite element analysis. Ocean Engineering, 190, 106443.
13. Jesthi D.K., & Nayak R.K. (2019). Evaluation of mechanical properties and morphology of seawater aged carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer hybrid composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 174, 106980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.106980
14. Karthik K., Rajamani D., Venkatesan E.P., Shajahan M.I., Rajhi A.A., Aabid, A., ... & Saleh, B. (2023). Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Carbon/Basalt/SiC Nanoparticle/Polyester Hybrid Composite Materials. Crystals, 13(3), 415.
15. Ardeleanu M.E., Stănescu D.G., Adam V., Scornea A., & Mihalcea I. (2019). Experimental Study of Some Composite Materials Characteristics. 2019 International Conference on Electromechanical and Power Systems (SIELMEN), P. 1-4.
16. Rajak D.K., Pagar D.D., Menezes P.L., & Linul E. (2019). Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Manufacturing, Properties, and Applications. Polymers, 11(10), 1667.
17. Tran P., Nguyen Q.T., & Lau K.T. (2018). Fire performance of polymer- based composites for maritime infrastructure. Composites Part B, (2018), doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.06.037.
18. Kemény A., Leveles B., & Károly D. (2021). Functional aluminium matrix syntactic foams filled with lightweight expanded clay aggregate particles. Materials Today: Proceedings, 45, P. 4229-4232.
19. Crupi V., Epasto G., Napolitano F., Palomba G., Papa I., & Russo P. (2023). Green Composites for Maritime Engineering: A Review. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 11 (3), 599..
20. Job S. (2015). Why not Composites in Ships? Reinforced Plastics, 59(2), 90-93.
21. Oladele I.O., Omotosho T.F., & Adediran A.A. (2020). Polymer-Based Composites: An Indispensable Material for Present and Future Applications. International Journal of Polymer Science, 2020, 1-12.
22. Kim H.S., & Plubrai P. (2004). Manufacturing and failure mechanisms of syntactic foam under compression. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 35(8), P. 1009-1015.
23. Rizzi E., Papa E., & Corigliano A. (2000). Mechanical behavior of a syntactic foam: experiments and modeling. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 37(40), P. 5773-5794.
24. Kádár Cs., Szlancsik A., Dombóvári Z., & Orbulov I. N. (2019). Monitoring the failure states of a metal matrix syntactic foam by modal analysis. Materials Letters, 257, 126733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2019.126733
25. Bolat Ç., Akgün İ.C., & Gokşenli A. (2020). On the Way to Real Appli- cations: Aluminum Matrix Syntactic Foams. European Mechanical Science, 4(3), P. 131-141. https://doi.org/10.26701/ems.703619
26. Routray S., Sundaray A., Pati D., & Jagadeb A.K. (2020). Preparation and Assessment of Natural Fiber Composites for Marine Application. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. D. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-020-00230-5
27. Barsotti B., Gaiotti M., & Rizzo C.M. (2020). Recent Industrial Develop- ments of Marine Composites Limit States and Design Approaches on Strength. Journal of Marine Science and Application, 19, P. 553-566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-020-00171-1
28. Rohith K., Shreyas S., Vishnu Appaiah K.B., Sheshank R.V., Ganesha B.B., & Vinod B. (2019). Recent Material Advancement for Marine Application. Materials Today: Proceedings, 18, P. 4854-4859.
29. Rajak D.K., Pagar D.D., Kumar R., Pruncu C.I., & Pruncu C. (2019). Recent progress of reinforcement materials: A comprehensive overview of compo- site materials. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.09.068
30. Chen N.-Z., Sun H.-H., & Guedes Soares C. (2003). Reliability analysis of a ship hull in composite material. Composite Structures, 62(1), P. 59-66.
31. Mouritz A.P., Gellert E., Burchill P., & Challis K. (2001). Review of advanced composite structures for naval ships and submarines. Composite Structures, 53(1), P. 21-41.
32. Bakshi M.S., & Kattimani S. (2020). Study of mechanical and dynamic mechanical behavior of halloysite nanotube-reinforced multiscale syntactic foam. J Appl Polym Sci., e49855. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.49855
33. Kim D.-U., Seo H.-S., & Jang, H.-Y. (2021). Study on Mechanical Bearing Strength and Failure Modes of Composite Materials for Marine Structures. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 9(7), 726. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9070726
34. Afolabi L.O., Ariff Z.M., Hashim S.F.S., Alomayri T., Mahzan S., Kamarudin K.-A., & Muhammad I. D. (2020). Syntactic foams formulations, production techniques, and industry applications: a review. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 9(5), P. 10698-10718.
35. Ruzuqi R. (2020). Tensile Strength Analysis of Polymer Composite Materials Fiber Reinforced in The Fiber Boat Application. Journal of Research and Opinion, 7(8), Р. 2763-2769. DOI: 10.15520/jro.v7i8.74
36. Lee S.-G., Oh D., Woo J.H. The Effect of High Glass Fiber Content and Reinforcement Combination on Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Measurement of Composite Ship Structures. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 379. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9040379
37. Chalmers D.W. (1994). The Potential for the Use of Composite Materials in Marine Structures. Marine Structures, 7, P. 441-456.
38. Grabian J., Ślączka W., Pawłowska P., & Kostrzewa W. (2017). The role of innovative composite materials in the safe and efficient operation of floating marine structures. Scientific Journals of the Maritime University of Szczecin, 52(124), P. 23-29.
39. Geuskens F., Jurg R., & Collier B. (2019). Tool-less Manufacturing of Composite Hulls and Superstructures.
40. Samoilescu G., Bordianu A., & Patroi E. (2019). Use of composite materials in shipbuilding. Utility and necessity. Scientific Bulletin of Naval Academy, XXII(1), P. 17-20.