Buoyancy component including dicyclopentadiene resin
A method of forming a buoyancy providing component, the method comprising locating a plurality of macrospheres in a mould, providing a composition including DCPD (dicyclo pentadiene) resin, a ruthenium or osmium catalyst, and a plurality of microspheres, dispensing the composition in liquid form into the mould to encapsulate the macrospheres, and allowing the mixture to set in the mould.
1. A method of forming a buoyancy providing component, the method comprising locating a plurality of macrospheres in a mould, providing a composition including DCPD (dicyclo pentadiene) resin, a ruthenium or osmium catalyst, and a plurality of microspheres, dispensing the composition in liquid form into the mould to encapsulate the macrospheres, and allowing the composition to set in the mould.
2. A method according to claim 1 , in which the mould forms part of the buoyancy providing component.
3. A method according to claim 2 , in which the mould forms an external shell for the component.
4. A method according to claim 1 , in which the catalyst is ruthenium.
5. A method according to claim 1 , in which the macrospheres have a diameter of greater than 20 mm.
6. A method according to claim 5 , in which the macrospheres have a diameter of greater than 40 mm.
7. A method according to claim 6 , in which the macrospheres have a diameter of greater than 50 mm.
8. A method according to claim 7 , in which the macrospheres have a diameter of approximately 55 mm.
9. A method according to claim 1 , in which the volume of macrospheres in the component is greater than 50%.
10. A method according to claim 9 , in which the volume of macrospheres in the component is between 50 and 60%.
11. A method according to claim 1 , in which the macrospheres have a density of between 0.2 and 0.6 gcm −3 .
12. A method according to claim 1 , in which the macrospheres are formed by injection moulding.
13. A method according to claim 12 , in which the macrospheres are formed in two halves which are subsequently bonded together.
14. A method according to claim 1 , in which the macrospheres are formed of a glass fibre filled thermoplastic compound.
15. A method according to claim 14 , in which the macrospheres are formed of glass reinforced styrene acrylonitrile thermoplastic material.
16. A method according to claim 1 , in which the internal volume of the macrospheres are less than 100 cm 3 .
17. A method according to claim 16 , in which the internal volume of the macrospheres is less than 90 cm 3 .
18. A method according to claim 1 , in which the microspheres are glass microspheres.
19. A method according to claim 1 , in which the microspheres form between 50 and 70% by volume of the composition.
20. A buoyancy aiding component, the component being made by locating a plurality of macrospheres in a mould, providing a composition including DCPD (dicyclo pentadiene) resin, a ruthenium or osmium catalyst, and a plurality of microspheres, dispensing the composition in liquid form into the mould to encapsulate the macrospheres, and allowing the composition to set in the mould.