WIX Archives

It's been used underwater before

Posted by Jim on Mon Jul 07, 2003 10:03:41 AM

In reply top Further to the Swedish Recovery post by Mikael Olrog posted by Tony C on Mon Jul 07, 2003 09:24:00 AM


Foam was recently used to protect the US Civil War-era submarine "Hunley" when it was raised from the bottom. The foam was injected into bags placed around the ship to hold it firmly while it was slowly raised in a sling.

I think it's a good idea, but I wonder about the cleanup and removal, especially if the foam was injected directly inside the airframe. I've only used this material (or something similar) for household uses. Before it cures, this foam is a sticky mess and it expands into every crevice where it's used. When it dries, its very easy to cut with a sharp knife or a saw, but it sticks to and leaves residue on the surfaces where its used. It would probably be better inject the foam into plastic bags placed inside the airframe to protect the aircraft. I've seen the military use the foam for shipping aircraft parts, but the parts are sealed inside bags first to prevent the foam from contacting them. I also wonder if too much foam could burst the aircraft as it expands?

My $.02.




: Hi all,
: Let me start by saying that I have absolutely no technical
: knowledge nor have any experience in raising wrecks, so p
: lease don't shoot me down in flames just yet!
:
: Anyway, Mikael's post raised the idea of freezing water ar
: ound an airframe, so that it could be raised 'safely'.
: As has been pointed out, the practicality of the process o
: f freezing the sounding waters could cause problems, but d
: oes the basis 'idea' have any legs.
:
: As an alternative to freezing, would it be possible to use
: a Self Expanding Polyurethane Foam?
:
: I do not know if ....
:
: 1. this type of foam would agressively attack the airframe
:
: 2. if such a foam needs the 'atmosphere' to expand or
: 3. if costs would be too prohibative
:
: but I would have thought that a foam would be able to pene
: trate inaccessible areas, preventing the crushing caused b
: y pressure. I would also think that foam would be reasonab
: ly light adding little to the remaining airframes' weight!
:
:
: So, could the resulting 'lump' then be raised in one and w
: ould the foam be easily removed?
:
: Further, could such a process also aid protection of the w
: reck once raised, during transportation and storage and wo
: uld it prevent further corrosion once above water?
:
: I don't know but is foam a possibility or should I go back
: to a darkened room and continue beating myself with a sti
: ck?
:
: You can now load the weapon of your choice and fire at wil
: l..
:
: Tony

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