Solid buoyancy materials are ubiquitous functional materials employed in deep-sea exploration and development.By capitalizing on their lower density compared to seawater,these materials facilitate the unpowered ascent of round-trip deep-sea submersibles and provide buoyancy compensation and thermal insulation for seabed production systems.As marine resource exploitation and scientific research ventures further into deeper seas,the operational modes of equipment are evolving toward enduring bottom placements and continuous round trips,thus presenting increasingly stringent demands for solid buoyancy materials.These materials should have the following basic characteristics:low density,resistance to high hydrostatic pressure,and reliable performance under long-term deep-sea conditions.Guided by these crucial factors,herein,the relationships between the microstructure and performance of two-phase,three-phase,and hybrid-reinforced buoyancy materials are categorized and elaborated.In addition,aligning with the long-term service requirements of deep-sea exploration equipment,durability studies of buoyancy materials under varying conditions are emphasized,particularly in terms of physical aging,water absorption,and degradation.Finally,suggestions and discussions regarding the design challenges of solid buoyancy materials and their components are presented,along with prospective developments in the technology for solid buoyancy materials.
buoyancy materialscomposite foamshydrostatic pressurelow densitydeep-sea development
万方数据
维普
