17
May

HOW HDPE BOAT BUILDING IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MATERIALS:

1) Boatyard environment: For HDPE boat building, the environment must be very clean, similar to aluminum shipyard. A clean atmosphere is very important for the quality of the weld. The penetration of dust or foreign matter into the weld can cause failure much faster than other materials.

2) The equipment: An extrusion welding machine is used for welding HDPE sheets. Basically, an HDPE wire with a thickness of 3 to 5 mm is fed into the extrusion machine at an automated speed to achieve a molten state. This molten HDPE fuses two sheets together to form the final weld. The weld cures quite quickly and the usual temperature range is between 210 and 300 °C. For root welding, a heat gun is used, on which some accessories are fixed.

3) Storage of the material: The HDPE sheets and the wires must be stored carefully to avoid damage. Since the material is softer than aluminum, it’s prone to damage at the edges. The main focus is to store the sheets as flat as possible so that they don’t permanently deform.

4) Material handling: Unlike aluminum, the panels need to be lifted carefully, probably with some reinforcements to avoid scratches or deformation. Even slight dragging can cause extreme scratches on the panels that are irreversible. Since HDPE boat can’t be painted in its natural form it isn’t suitable for adhesive material.

5) Welding techniques: HDPE boat welding techniques are very similar to aluminum welding techniques. The joints such as butt, fillet, and corner joints are the common welds in HDPE boat building. Surfaces shall be free from oil, dirt, scales, etc before the start of welding.

6) Assembly method: The frames and stringers are interlocked together to make a strong connection. The interlocking system also makes the assembly much easier and saves more time for the builder.

Conclusion: In general the HDPE boat building is similar to the aluminium boat building, but the handling and storage of the material are very different. Also, the welding process requires more strength and proper balance.