Arch rubber fenders are renowned in the marine industry for their durability, adaptability, and high performance. These rubber fender products combine strength, simplicity, and functionality. As such, arch rubber fenders are an effective and reliable solution for protecting docks and ships from collision damage. These rubber fenders are widely used in harbors, marinas, and other marine environments around the world. Let’s take a look at why these Fender products can fulfill your maritime needs.
What is an Arch Rubber Fender?
An arch fender is an optimized V-shaped rubber fender. It is optimized to absorb more energy than traditional rubber fenders. One of the most popular marine fender systems in the world, the Arch Rubber Fender is both simple and durable. It is suitable for areas where space or height is limited. It provides reliable service for a wide range of berths, even under the most extreme conditions.
The arch rubber fender can be used as a single element. Alternatively, it can be combined with UHMW-PE mats to provide a system with higher compression ratios, greater energy absorption, and lower reaction forces. Made from a single piece of rubber, the arch fender’s intuitive shape makes it simple to install and requires little maintenance.
In addition, the arch design significantly reduces torsional forces at the base of the fender. The base on each side of the rubber fender fits snugly against the dock surface. The arched fender is free to compress and move without being damaged under pressure. This makes it more stable and holds tight to the support structure. In addition, use with UHMW-PE mats minimizes the coefficient of friction between the ship and the fender. This prevents damage to the ship and extends the life of the rubber fender.
Zhonghaihang Shipping Supply is a professional supplier of rubber fenders. The arch fenders we supply are made of high-quality natural rubber, which is weather-resistant, seawater-resistant, cut-resistant, and abrasion-resistant. In addition, we can match you with the most suitable rubber fenders according to your project requirements. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us.
Features of Arch Rubber Fender
Arch fenders are one of the most popular forms of rubber fenders. Their unique design provides several key features that make them excellent for protecting vessels when moored or docked. Here are some of their key features:
- Strong and Durable: Arch rubber fenders are made of a single piece of molded rubber that is strong and durable. Even after a long period of heavy use, no maintenance is required. Thus, arch fenders are a durable and cost-effective solution for ship protection.
- High Energy Absorption: Arch fenders are designed to compress and deform when a vessel comes into contact with them. This deformation allows the fender to absorb a large amount of energy, reducing the impact on the vessel.
- Versatility: Arch fenders are suitable for use in a variety of mooring environments, including piers, berths and breakwaters. In addition, they can be used for both small and large vessels.
- Low Maintenance: Arch rubber fenders require little maintenance after installation and can be used for long periods.
- Easy Installation: Arch fenders are very easy to install and can be installed on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, steel and wood.
- Superior Strength: Arch fenders are designed to be simple yet durable to withstand intense use and harsh environments.
- Excellent Shear Performance: The design and material composition of this rubber fender provide excellent resistance to shear stress.
Comparison to Standard V-Fenders
Since the Arch Rubber Fender is an optimized V-fender. Therefore, it offers many advantages that V-fenders do not. The following are the characteristics of arch fenders compared to V-fenders:
- Greater compression ratio, greater energy absorption and lower reaction forces
- Simple design for direct installation
- Good shear resistance
- Long service life
- Reduced maintenance operations and hidden costs
- Ideal for small installations
- Versatile in application and installation
In addition, UHMW-PE pads can be added to the fenders. This minimizes hull pressure and the ship’s coefficient of friction, thus reducing the shear forces when the ship is at berth.
Selection of Arch Rubber Fender
At present, there are three common choices of arch rubber fenders as follows.
Arch Fender with Rubber Contact Surface
This form of rubber fender is ideal for general-purpose applications. The rubber surface gives the fender excellent high-friction properties. This can greatly limit potential movement between the vessel and the dock. This results in better protection of the vessel and the pier.
Arch Fenders with Steel Pile Head Plates
This arch fender has a steel plate pre-built at the top. It can be attached directly to the face pad or the front panel covered by the face pad. This reduces the coefficient of friction between the ship and the fender and extends the service life of the fender. There are usually three different structure types: bevelled at both ends, straight at both ends, beveled at one end and straight at the other.
Arch fender with UHMW pads
This type of rubber fender adopts advanced material and technology to paste a 20-30 mm thick UHMW polyethene mat directly on the fender. This can maintain the performance of the arch fender and reduce the friction coefficient between the fender and the ship, as well as reduce the project cost.
In addition, because UHMW-PE sheets are so strong, they have excellent non-marking and low friction characteristics. This reduces the risk of damage to marine vessels and marinas. The non-marking properties are particularly important in marinas and other applications used by yachts and other private boats. This is because it protects the appearance of the boat. And the fender tops are easy to replace, which extends the life of the arch rubber fenders.
How to Install Arch Rubber Fenders
Arch fenders can be bolted horizontally or vertically, and their ends can be angled or chamfered to meet specific needs. The base is made of a vulcanized steel plate with pre-drilled mounting holes for secure fastening. Additionally, you can have customizable corner fenders to adequately protect dock corners.
Arch rubber fenders are one of the best marine equipment and fender systems available. They are suitable for small to medium-sized vessels and provide excellent service. Next, we will show you how to install arch fenders.
- Pass the fixing rope through the mounting holes on the arch fender and then tighten the fender for lifting. Note that wire rope or other harsh metal chains are prohibited.
- Lift the arch rubber fender to the exact location of the anchor bolts on the dock.
- Insert the washers into the mounting holes corresponding to the embedded position of the dock and tighten them with the bolts.
- Take the same steps to tighten each bolt.
- Remove any mounting marks or stains that may have appeared during the entire operation. Then complete the installation of the arch fender assembly.
The above is a generalized procedure for assembling and installing arch fenders. The actual rubber fender design may vary from case to case. If there is a problem with the installation process, you can contact us. Zhonghaihang Shipping Supply can assist you in determining the ideal situation and help you.
Summary
If you are looking for high-quality marine fender products, Zhonghaihang Shipping Supply has different types of marine fenders to meet your needs. In addition, our skilled staff will help you determine the best solution for your specific application. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.
