COMPOSITE REPAIRS FOR SUBMARINE SEA TUBES

摘要

The New method, which offers significant time and cost savings, has been identified during the current three year Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)) on HMS Vigilant, being undertaken by Babcock at Devonport Royal Dockyard, and implemented by Babcock's Composite Technology Group. The submarine's 11 sea tubes, typically measuring up to lm long with a 200mm outside diameter, allow sea water services to pass from the sea through ballast tanks into the pressure hull, via a hull valve. Being surrounded by seawater they are prone to corrosion, particularly in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of flange welds, where variations in metallic property exist.