Visual Indicator-Stonefish Exercise Mine, Polymeric Materials Selection

摘要

The RAN has a requirement for a real time visual mine firing indicator (VISEM)for the Stonefish Exercise Mine (SEM). This device is an alternative indicator to the towed receiver which is not available to all ships that exercise with the SEM due to its limited availability and high cost. This report documents aspects concerning the choice of polymeric materials for the VISEM. A design profile was drawn up and the critical parameters used in the PLASCAMS 'Plastics Computer Aided Materials Selector' program to indicate suitable plastics materials for production of components of the VISEM. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) was selected as having the optimum properties to meet the design profile that included requirements for hydrolytic stability, toughness over a wide temperature range and ease of production by injection moulding and assembly with adhesives.