Steel constructions in shipbuilding
Today, the majority of ships are built with a steel hull, because this material has many advantages: Firstly, it has excellent mechanical properties, such as high tensile strength and toughness, making it well suited for building sturdy and durable naval structures. Its structural integrity is crucial to withstanding the harsh conditions of the open ocean, including waves, wind and potential impacts. Its inherent strength contributes to the overall stability and safety of the vessel. In addition, steel is relatively cost-effective compared to some alternative materials.
On the other hand, a significant drawback of steel is its weight. Being denser than many other materials used in shipbuilding, steel contributes significantly to the overall weight of the vessel which can impact the fuel efficiency and maneuverability of the vessel. The weight of steel can impose design limitations on certain types of vessels. For example, in the case of high-speed vessels, alternative materials such as aluminum or composite materials can be more suitable.
Other disadvantages include the risk of corrosion, although modern steel alloys have improved in this regard, and there are coatings and treatments to protect the steel from the corrosive effects of salt water. And finally, not to neglect the fact that steel production involves significant energy consumption and emissions, contributing to its environmental impact.
Areas of application of steel in shipbuilding
Steel is the predominant material used in the main structure and structural divisions of ships. The use of steel in these critical areas is mainly related to its properties such as strength, durability and structural integrity.
- Hull: The outer hull of the vessel is crucial to provide buoyancy and resist the forces exerted by the water. Steel is the material of choice due to its high strength and ability to withstand the harsh conditions of the marine environment.
- Decks: Steel is commonly used for decks, to ensure that the deck can support heavy loads and resist the dynamic forces experienced at sea.
- Bulkheads: Bulkheads are vertical partitions that divide the interior space of a ship into compartments. They contribute to the structural and watertight integrity of the vessel and improve its overall safety.
- Superstructure Elements: Although some parts of the superstructure (including cabins, bridges and other above-deck structures) may be constructed with other lighter materials such as aluminum, the main structural elements that ensure the strength and stability of the ship generally remain in steel.
Light insulation to mitigate weight challenges
Technical insulation plays a crucial role in steel shipbuilding in improving performance and safety. The main challenge with steel is its weight, both for vessel design and operation. To address these weight-related challenges, we provide our U SeaProtect® range of innovative lightweight insulation solutions. In particular, the incorporation of lightweight insulation helps to mitigate the overall impact on the weight of a vessel. Applied to structural elements, such as bulkheads or decks, our U SeaProtect® solutions meet the specific needs of steel ships, offering essential benefits such as fire protection, thermal insulation, and noise reduction. This strategic integration of lightweight insulation is particularly relevant in the maritime context, where every kilogram saved contributes to improving operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Insulation of bulkheads and decks
Bulkheads, the vertical separations within a ship, are crucial to maintaining structural integrity and fire compartmentation. The same goes for decks, the horizontal surfaces of a vessel. Effective insulation not only helps regulate temperature in the various sections of the ship, reduce noise transmission, but also plays a key role in preventing the spread of smoke and flames in the event of fire.
Key Benefits of insulating steel structures in shipbuilding
Fire safety
Fires are a particular risk on a ship, more so on a passenger ship, where there are large numbers of people to evacuate, or on a ship carrying flammable goods, endangering crew members or the ports. Insulation plays a vital role in the prevention and containment of fires. It is a key element in fire-resistant construction systems that help slow down the spread of fire, giving passengers and crew valuable time to respond and evacuate safely.
A key area of application for our fire rated insulation solutions are ‘A’ Class divisions. These are bulkheads or parts of a deck constructed of steel or other ‘equivalent material’ and capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame for a period of at least 60 minutes, as defined in the regulations.
Did you know...?
‘A’ class divisions are formed by bulkheads and decks and must comply with the following:
- Constructed of steel or other equivalent material
- Suitably stiffened
- Capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the one-hour standard fire test
- Insulated with non-combustible materials so that the average temperature on the unexposed side does not rise more than 140°C above the original temperature, and the temperature at no point, including joints, does not increase by more than 180°C above the original temperature, this within the time limits indicated below:
class ‘A-60’ | 60 minutes |
class ‘A-30’ | 30 minutes |
class ‘A-15’ | 15 minutes |
class ‘A-0’ | 0 minutes |
Thermal comfort and energy efficiency
Steel ships operate in a wide range of climates and temperatures, from the frigid waters of the poles to the warm waters of the tropics. Insulation helps regulate internal temperatures, ensuring that critical equipment, pipelines, and public areas remain within the optimal operating range. This thermal efficiency contributes to energy savings, operational reliability and ensures the comfort of passengers and crew. By minimizing energy consumption, our insulation solutions not only contribute to cost savings but also play a crucial role in the move towards more sustainable shipbuilding practices.
Acoustic comfort
Steel vessels can also be noisy environments due to the operation of engines, equipment, and constant interaction with water. The insulation serves as an effective sound barrier, reducing noise levels and creating a more comfortable and safer working environment for the crew, as well as a more pleasant traveling experience for the passengers.
Our marine insulation solutions and services
Our U SeaProtect® range
With our U SeaProtect® solutions, we offer a unique portfolio of insulation for steel structures from A15 up to A120 constructions. Our U SeaProtect® range combines fire protection with optimal thermal and acoustic insulation, being up to 45% lighter than conventional stone wool solutions. U SeaProtect® products are available unfaced or with a range of different facings. For almost all solutions, U SeaProtect® is available in slabs or rolls.
Find the right solution for your project
To facilitate the process of finding optimal insulation solutions for steel ships, we have developed the Marine Solution Selector. By selecting the main material of the vessel, specifying the area to be insulated (bulkhead or deck) and refining criteria such as fire class, weight, U-Value, and Sound Reduction Value, this tool guides the users towards the optimal solutions. Explore our Marine Solution Selector to discover the ideal insulation solutions for your steel ship:
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Product range
U SeaProtect Slab 100 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 100 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 100 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 100 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 24 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 24 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 24 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 24 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 36 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 36 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 36 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 36 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 46 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 46 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 46 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 46 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 56 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 56 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 56 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 56 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 66 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 66 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 66 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 66 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 76 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 76 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 76 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 76 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 86 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 86 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 86 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 86 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 90 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 90 kg/m³
U SeaProtect Slab 90 B-Gl
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside – Density 90 kg/m³
Aluminium glass fabric composite B-Al or B-Gl
Facings for U SeaProtect insulation products
Glass fiber veils V1 & V2
V1: Glass fiber veil, yellow 35g/m², reinforced; V2: Glass fiber veil, black 60g/m²
U SeaProtect Slab 50 B-Al
Slabs with an alu-coated glass fabric, alu side outside-Density 50 kg/m³