Corrosion Prevention and Control for Outboard Submarine Systems

Phase I results were extremely positive and a plan for Phase II follow-on work is hereby presented. Foam core steel sandwich panels, based on Fraunhofer Institute technology, were successfully demonstrated in subscale during Phase I. The process path ofHIP plus foaming and HIP plus deformation (rolling) and foaming produced panels superior to all other steel foam process methodologies thus far explored. The following issues were identified for further effort, understanding, and improvement in Phase II:Improvement in pore size distribution, improved theoretical understanding of the mechanism of steel foaming, foam demonstration and scale-up of steel foam panels via a HIP plus roll plus foam approach and fabrication of a protoype naval vessel door withBath iron Works. The properties of steel foams and steel foam sandwiches suggest numerous potential applications in advanced ship designs: o Hulls using steel foam sandwiches with steel face sheets o Elevator platforms o Pontoons, docks, buoys,cargo-loading decks, life rafts o Fire doors, bulkheads, partitions, floors, cabin interiors o Lightweight, damage-tolerant rapid-deployment pallets and cargo containers o Blast deflectors and pyrotechnic lockers o Antenna platforms o Deck ramps, hatchcovers, stern gates o Lightweight ladders, scaffolding, and furniture