Why Do We Need Pneumatic Fenders?

Pneumatic fenders, also known as floating fenders, provides\ the supplementary protection to applications where fixed fenders such as cylindrical fenders and arch fenders may be unsuitable. With low reaction force at low deflection, pneumatic fenders are the best choice for liquid cargo vessels and defense vessels with sensitive equipments. Meanwhile, it also ideal for following applications:

• Ship to ship transfer operation at sea.
• Double banking operations.
• Vessel berthing and mooring at docks and jetties.
• Soft vessels including bulk carriers, tankers or aluminum fast ferries.
• Liquid cargo vessels and defense vessels.
• Permanent and semi-permanent ports with solid faced quay structure or supporting frame.
• Quays with large range of tidal.

Features:

• Excellent energy absorption by using compressed air as buffer to counteract collision and squeezing.
• When ships are berthing, mostly there are certain angles, pneumatic fenders secure an oblique contact with ship taking advantages of its unique structure.
• Lager interface areas and smaller counter force.
• Floating on water all the time and moving up and down with tide, pneumatic fenders allow safety berthing with small friction force upon the ships and rubber fender itself.
• Great linear load deflection.
• Lightweight and easy to handle.
• Quick and easy to install and redeploy without bolts and nuts.
• Complying with ISO 17357 standards.
• Wide range of diameters and pressure rating for different applications.

Structure:
Pneumatic rubber fenders are composed of four main parts: outer rubber, reinforced tyre cord, inner rubber and end flanges as shown in the picture.

• Outer rubber layer features high tensile strength and wear resistance to protect reinforced tyre core and inner rubber form damages.
• Reinforced tyre cord is fabricated from high strength cord materials to strength the pneumatic fender.
• Inner layer is made of rubber to contain the air and avoid any leakage.
• End flanges are the junction of rubber bladder and metallic parts containing air valve, which are used to fill and discharge gas. Meanwhile, the end flanges has hoisting rings to allow the fender to be lifted easily.

What types of pneumatic fenders can we supply?

Our company can supply various types of rubber fenders including type Ⅰ (chain & tyre net type), type Ⅱ (sling type), type Ⅲ (rib type), type Ⅳ (rope net type) and type Ⅴ (standard type). Meanwhile, hydro-pneumatic fenders are also available as shown in the following pictures:

• Type Ⅰ chain & tyre net type fenders are composed of rubber bladders and several rubber tires which are connected firmly by chains. This type of pneumatic fender is ideal for large sized quays and docks.
• Type Ⅱ sling type fender consists of metal chains and special rubber pads which are tightly tied together around the fender body. It is suitable for medium and small sized ships.
• Type Ⅲ rib type fenders are characterized by protruding ribs to reduce the direct contact between vessels and docks to extend the longevity of the rubber fender.
• Type Ⅳ rope net type fenders feature nylon cord nets being wound around the rubber body and ideal for small sized vessels.
• Type Ⅴ standard type fenders are the most lightweight pneumatic fenders without any protection net.
• Type Ⅵ hydro-pneumatic type fender has a stronger body and counter weight to keep fenders vertical in water. It allows for minimal hull pressure loads and soft compression during berthing of submarines and other vessels that may have contacts with docks under the water.

Specification & performance:

Main specification & performance of type Ⅰ rubber pneumatic fenders
Types	Diameter (m)	Length (m)	Initial inflation pressure (0.05 Mpa)			Initial inflation pressure (0.05 Mpa)
			Weight	R	E	-	-	-
RPF-1	0.5	1.0	25	64	6	25	83	8
RPF-2	0.6	1.0	32	74	8	32	96	11
RPF-3	0.7	1.5	50	137	17	50	178	24
RPF-4	1.0	1.5	80	182	32	80	235	44
RPF-5	1.0	2.0	100	257	45	125	335	63
RPF-6	1.2	2.0	120	297	63	165	386	86
RPF-7	1.35	2.5	165	427	102	226	554	140
RPF-8	1.5	3.0	315	597	153	370	751	211
RPF-9	1.7	3.0	405	639	191	436	860	263
RPF-10	2.0	3.5	590	875	308	632	1138	424
RPF-11	2.5	4.0	1050	1381	663	1110	1815	925
RPF-12	2.5	5.5	1333	2019	943	1410	2653	1317
RPF-13	3.0	5.0	1880	2104	1210	2155	2709	1571
RPF-14	3.0	6.0	2160	2583	1485	2470	3292	1888
RPF-15	3.3	4.5	2020	1884	1175	2300	2476	1640
RPF-16	3.3	6.0	2300	2783	1675	2600	3652	2338
RPF-17	3.3	6.5	2700	3015	1814	3080	3961	2532