Material and Construction

Initially extruded as a continuous sheet, Softlite Ionomer Foam has a very strong, thick-walled, closed cell structure. During the foaming process, uniform pigments, ultraviolet stabilizers and antioxidants are integrated into the cell structures.

After extrusion, the continuous sheet is rolled up into a cylinder by continuous spiral winding under heat and pressure, causing each successive layer to weld to the previous, using the ionic cross linkages to create an integrally structured homogeneous mass of tough, universally pigmented, flexible, closed-cell ionomer foam.

This cylindrical mass can be shaped to any exterior contour by heat-cutting. The two flat end surfaces are then capped with additional sheets of Softlite heat-welded to the body. The resultant foam structure offers superior strength, energy absorption, compression resistance, water barrier characteristics, and structural integrity.

The final surface of the fenders is a skin of solid ionomer plastic (45.0 pounds per cubic foot). The cylinders are made intentionally oversized so that the outer layers can be compacted with heat and pressure to form this skin. The skin is tough, but smooth and flexible; it is the same material used for the covers of bowling pins and golf balls. The surface resists abrasion, is not rough on ship paint or metal and is non-marking in any color. Since the skin is identical to the interior foam, the fender's integrity is unsurpassed.

Characteristics

Softlite Ionomer Foam is especially well suited for marine fenders because it offers toughness, durability, excellent resistance to environmental agents, e.g., solar radiation, salt, waves, etc., with low weight and density, but great flexing strength and energy absorption.

The fender is a uniform structure of thick-walled, closed-cell, universally pigmented 4.0 pound per cubic foot Softlite Ionomer Foam. The structure is composed of a continuous spiral, alternating layers of low density foam with high density welds. There are no voids or cavities in the foam; such voids are impossible in the Softlite construction process.

Because of the continuously welded Softlite construction and the integral structure, there are no seams. Since the skin is integral to the buoy mass, problems with skin adherence, interstitial icing, or skin separation, common in composite fenders, are also impossible.

The fenders retain their inherent characteristics at all temperatures from -85° to +175°F. The fenders will not fracture or distort when dropped on a hard surface, when struck by a vessel under operation conditions, or when working between two vessels or between a vessel and pier.

Interior Foam

Skin