Syntactic Foam

Syntactic Foam Latest News

A crucial set of tests on the Samudrayaan, India’s first manned-submersible dive into the ocean, is likely only mid-next year following a delay in the procurement of syntactic foam cladding from France.

About Syntactic Foam

• A syntactic foam is a composite material that is produced by filling a metal, polymer, or ceramic with pre-formed inorganic hollow spheres known as micro balloons.
• ‘Syntactic’ is a term that refers to the ordered positioning of the spheres, and the word ‘foam’ alludes to the closed cellular structure.
• Most of the advantageous features of the material are a result of the hollow spheres inside of the syntactic foam.

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Syntactic Foam Properties

• Lightweight with High Strength: The use of hollow microspheres allows foam to maintain a low weight while offering excellent compressive strength.
• Superior Buoyancy: Its inherent low density makes it ideal for subsea applications where buoyancy is critical.
• Thermal and Acoustic Insulation: It reduces thermal conductivity and dampens noise, improving performance in marine and aerospace environments.
• Corrosion and Water Resistance: The closed-cell structure prevents water absorption, enhancing its longevity in saltwater and chemically aggressive environments.

Syntactic Foam Applications

• Subsea and Offshore: Ideal for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and pipeline insulation.
• Aerospace: Used in satellite components and structural parts where weight reduction is essential without sacrificing strength.
• Defense and Military: Employed in sonar domes, buoyancy modules, and lightweight armor due to its impact resistance.
• Automotive and Sports: Increasingly adopted for lightweight, high-impact applications such as crash protection and performance gear.

What is the Samudrayaan Project?

• It is India’s first manned mission to explore the deep ocean. 
• It is aimed to develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry three human beings to a water depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration. 
• It is designed to study the deep ocean resources and conduct biodiversity assessments as well. 
• The mission will not disturb the ecosystem as the submersible is used solely for exploration purposes. 
• The project is part of the larger Deep Ocean Mission, which supports the Central Government’s Blue Economy policy.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

What is MATSYA 6000?

• It is a manned submersible vehicle developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. 
• It was developed under the Samudrayaan mission to facilitate humans in the deep ocean in exploring mineral resources.

Source: TH