Application and Challenges of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers in Marine Structures and Equipments

Carbon fiber possesses excellent properties such as light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance, and thus it is widely used in industrial production. Traditionally, steel has been the main material for marine structures and equipment. However, with the development of offshore oil and gas exploitation moving towards deep waters and the advancement of clean marine energy, carbon fiber has begun to replace steel due to its inherent advantages. This chapter introduces the applications and related researches of carbon fiber in marine pipelines and cables, mooring systems, pressure structures, wind turbine blades, hydrogen storage tanks and repair projects. It is found that carbon fiber can well satisfy the requirements of light weight and high strength in marine engineering. Nevertheless, there are still some challenges to be addressed, such as the connection strength between carbon fiber and metal materials, and the durability of carbon fiber in complex marine environments. It is believed that with the development of marine resource exploitation as well as the advancement of material, production and other related technologies, CFRP will play an increasingly important role in marine structures and equipment.