Material and Fabrication of the Personnel Hull for Full Ocean Depth Submersible

Abstract

In this paper, the personnel hulls of current typical deep manned submersibles were characterized by analyzing the hull materials and fabrication technologies. Owing to their good corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio, titanium alloys were commonly chosen to make the personnel hull for deep manned submersibles. At present whole hemisphere forging and electron-beam welding represent the advanced manufacturing technologies of the personnel hull fabrication. Based on the above analysis, the material requirement and fabrication technologies for the full ocean depth personnel hull were discussed. Higher strength is required for titanium alloy applied in the full ocean depth personnel hull, while the performance including toughness, thermal forming ability and welding properties of the alloy should also be taken into consideration. Finally, the research progress on titanium alloy and fabrication of the full ocean depth hull were briefly summarized.