Lightweight Airbag Roller Durable High Load Capacity Corrosion Pressure

Product Specification

Lightweight Airbag Roller Durable High Load Capacity Corrosion Pressure Resistant

Description

Ship launching airbags are advanced, high-performance auxiliary devices engineered for the safe launching, handling, and transportation of vessels of varying sizes and types. They consist of multiple layers of high-strength steel wire reinforcement embedded within a durable synthetic rubber matrix, giving them exceptional elasticity, tensile strength, and the ability to withstand extreme loads. This construction allows airbags to manage the dynamic forces and impact pressures generated during vessel launching, reducing the risk of hull deformation or damage.

The outer rubber layer is abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant, saltwater-resistant, and highly resistant to aging. Its low-friction surface ensures smooth sliding between the airbag and the hull, protecting delicate coatings and reducing energy consumption during launch. The modular design allows flexible placement under hulls of various lengths and shapes, providing uniform load distribution and ensuring vessel stability throughout the launching process. Hongruntong Marine airbags are reusable, cost-effective, and can replace traditional slipways or rollers, offering greater efficiency, flexibility, and safety for shipyards.

Case Study

In 2023, a large shipyard in Jiangsu Province faced the challenge of launching a 3,200-ton bulk carrier with a length of 180 meters. The slipway available was relatively short and steep, and the shipyard wanted to minimize labor costs and launch duration without compromising safety. Hongruntong Marine supplied twelve high-capacity airbags, each 3.2 meters in diameter and 22 meters long, customized to support the weight and size of this specific vessel.

Before launch, a full engineering assessment was conducted, including hull weight distribution analysis, slope friction simulation, and load testing on airbag prototypes. The airbags were arranged beneath the hull in a staggered configuration to maximize load distribution and reduce stress concentrations. The design team calculated an optimal working pressure of 0.22 MPa, taking into account the vessel’s total weight, center of gravity, and the dynamic forces generated during the launch process.

On launch day, the airbags were positioned according to the plan, and inflation was carefully monitored using a digital control system with real-time pressure feedback. As inflation reached the target pressure, the vessel began sliding smoothly down the slipway. The staggered airbag layout ensured even load distribution, preventing tilting or uneven stress on the hull. The low-friction surface minimized energy resistance, allowing the vessel to enter the water smoothly without sudden jerks or collisions.

The entire launch was completed in under 55 minutes, a significant improvement over conventional slipway methods, and the vessel remained fully intact without scratches, dents, or coating damage. Following the launch, the airbags were deflated, inspected, and stored for future use. This case demonstrates the capacity of Hongruntong Marine airbags to handle ultra-heavy, large-scale vessels in challenging shipyard environments while ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Specifications

Features

High Strength Multi Layer Steel Wire Reinforcement
Hongruntong Marine airbags feature multiple layers of high-tensile steel wire woven within a synthetic rubber matrix. The precise winding of steel wires ensures uniform load distribution and prevents localized stress, which is critical for heavy vessels. The synthetic rubber provides elasticity and flexibility, allowing the airbags to absorb shock and impact forces effectively. Each airbag is designed to handle instantaneous loads of 3–5 times the vessel’s weight, ensuring safety for even the largest bulk carriers and tankers. The combination of steel and rubber also ensures resistance to deformation and fatigue over multiple launches, making these airbags highly durable and reliable.

Advanced Pressure Control and Safety System
Each airbag comes with high-precision digital pressure gauges and safety relief valves. The gauges allow operators to monitor inflation in real time, while safety valves automatically release excess pressure to prevent rupture. For large-scale operations, automated pumping systems can control multiple airbags simultaneously, ensuring uniform inflation and reducing human error. This system enhances operational safety by maintaining stable pressure during dynamic vessel movements, protecting both the hull and airbag from unexpected overloads.

Low Friction Hull Protection and Energy Efficiency
The outer layer of each airbag is made of low-friction, abrasion-resistant rubber that minimizes sliding resistance between the airbag and hull. This ensures smooth vessel movement, protecting delicate coatings on steel, aluminum, or composite hulls. The low-friction design reduces the energy required for launching, allowing smaller teams and lighter equipment to handle heavy vessels efficiently. The surface also maintains performance under exposure to seawater, UV radiation, and abrasive materials commonly found in shipyards.

Modular Design, Flexibility, and Rapid Recovery
Airbags are produced in modular lengths and diameters, allowing flexible configurations tailored to vessel length, weight, and hull geometry. The modular design supports staggered, linear, or hybrid arrangements to optimize load distribution and stability. After use, the airbags can be quickly deflated, inspected, and stored for future launches. This flexibility allows shipyards to launch multiple vessels of different sizes with the same set of airbags, reducing operational costs, storage requirements, and setup time.

Applications

Shipyard Vessel Launching
Ideal for launching large cargo ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers, and passenger vessels, especially in shipyards with limited slipway length or steep slopes. Airbags provide smooth, controlled, and safe launches, reducing the risk of hull damage and labor intensity.

Dry Dock and Hull Relocation
Airbags enable horizontal or longitudinal movement of vessels in dry docks for maintenance, assembly, or repair. The low-friction surface reduces manual effort, equipment use, and risk of structural damage during relocation.

Temporary Offshore Buoyancy and Transport Assistance
Airbags provide temporary buoyancy and support for modular vessels, prefabricated ship sections, or sections under offshore transport. They reduce handling risks during towing, loading, or temporary mooring operations at ports or offshore construction sites.

Why Choose Hongruntong Marine

Extensive Marine Equipment Expertise
Hongruntong Marine has over 20 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and supplying ship launching airbags to more than 1,000 shipyards worldwide. Our R&D team continuously refines materials, designs, and manufacturing processes to meet evolving marine safety and performance standards.

Custom Tailored Solutions for Every Vessel
We provide fully customized airbag layouts, dimensions, and pressure settings based on vessel type, weight, hull design, and port conditions. Our engineers develop optimized installation plans, ensuring maximum load distribution, hull protection, and operational efficiency.

Premium Materials and Advanced Manufacturing
Airbags are constructed from imported high-strength synthetic rubber and steel wire reinforcement. Every unit undergoes rigorous quality control, including tensile testing, pressure endurance tests, abrasion and UV resistance evaluations, and long-term aging assessments. This ensures consistent performance and reliability in harsh marine environments.

Comprehensive Technical Support and On-Site Guidance
From design consultation and airbag selection to installation guidance and operational training, Hongruntong Marine provides complete support for each project. Our professional team ensures safe, efficient, and trouble-free launches while minimizing downtime and operational risks.

FAQ

1. What is the maximum vessel weight a single airbag can handle?
Depending on the model, a single airbag can support 500–3,000 tons. Multiple airbags can be combined to accommodate heavier vessels.

2. How long is the service life of the airbags?
With proper use and maintenance, airbags typically last 8–12 years. Regular inspection of the rubber surface, steel reinforcement, and airtightness is recommended.

3. Can the airbags be used in seawater conditions?
Yes. The outer rubber layer is corrosion-resistant, and the steel wire reinforcement is treated to prevent rust, making them suitable for marine environments.

4. How many personnel are required for typical operations?
A team of 3–5 operators can handle installation, inflation, and vessel launch. Larger vessels may require additional personnel.

5. Can damaged airbags be repaired?
Minor scratches and punctures can be repaired using professional repair kits. Severe damage requires replacement to ensure operational safety.