Ship Simulator

English forum => Small talk => Topic started by: Captain Spencer on January 14, 2009, 01:25:57

Title: Materials?
Post by: Captain Spencer on January 14, 2009, 01:25:57

Hi guys,

I might seem a little dim here (although it is 00:25am) but what kind of metal are buoys made out of? I thought it was steel as steel does rust?

Anyone have any input?

Cheers,
Adam

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: TerryRussell on January 14, 2009, 01:34:51

They are made from all sorts of materials. Steel, wood, plastic, foam elastomers, concrete etc.

http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0702120

http://www.jeyco.com.au/Misc%20Files/Foam_over_steel_comparison.pdf

List of manufacturers for more details:

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/marine-buoys-8971806-1.html

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: Gloat on January 14, 2009, 17:59:01

Painted steel does not rust  ::) and unless you get red or green steel naturally, the paint coats and protects the steel. You should know that. Although I am not sure, I think it also applies to iron - the paint protects it from oxidation and rusting

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: TerryRussell on January 14, 2009, 18:51:50

Painted steel can indeed rust. It just takes longer.

Paint is porous and somewhat osmotic. So the water gets passed through it eventually. Then the steel rusts. Ditto with iron.

Also, the paint gets scraped by debris, rasped by barnacles and limpets and all sorts of crustacea. Then it simply isn't there to stop anything...

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: RMSGreatBritain on January 14, 2009, 18:52:39

Quote from: CaptainSpencer on January 14, 2009, 01:25:57

Hi guys,

I might seem a little dim here (although it is 00:25am) but what kind of metal are buoys made out of? I thought it was steel as steel does rust?

Anyone have any input?

Cheers,
Adam

Thats not a dim question at all CaptainSpencer, a very good one infact. I didnt know the answer to that either, so thanks to terry for the info! ;D

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: Gloat on January 14, 2009, 18:54:29

darn! I have officially concluded myself as USELESS

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: RMSGreatBritain on January 14, 2009, 18:59:07

why Gloat? no surprise though.... ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: TerryRussell on January 14, 2009, 19:01:38

Quote from: Gloat on January 14, 2009, 18:54:29

darn! I have officially concluded myself as USELESS

Will you need to ask Admin to change your account name again?  ;D

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: Gloat on January 14, 2009, 19:02:41

Sure!

I will notify Mark.

Quote from: RMSGreatBritain on January 14, 2009, 18:59:07

why Gloat? no surprise though.... ;D ;D ;D

I take it you made a very offencive joke?

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: Shipaddict on January 14, 2009, 20:39:57

He probably did, but the smileys say hes only kidding ;)

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on January 14, 2009, 20:47:50

Yes, as Terry said, paint will only protect the buoy for a certain period if time, before barnacles and other marine life start to cling to it, and strip the paint off. Gradual errosion caused by the waves/tide/bottoming out on sand dosen't do the buoy any favours either. But anyway, as far as I'm aware, they last a good length of time though with care and attention, or am I wrong Terry?

Jack.

Title: Re: Materials?
Post by: TerryRussell on January 14, 2009, 22:22:53

So far as I know, they last for many years, but it obviously depends on any factors. I don't have any data on it, but I exect that Trinity House or the Admiralty will have collected that for at least a hundred years!

It's probably worth trawling their web site, if you're interested.