Base Materials will supply its buoyancy solutions to Inkfish, an organisation that supports marine research, as part of wider upgrade of their full ocean depth submersible, DSV Bakunawa.

The DSV Bakunawa (formerly ‘DSV Limiting Factor’), a two-man, 12-tonne vessel, was previously used for The Five Deeps Expedition, the first successful manned descent to the deepest point of each of the world’s five oceans. One of only a handful of manned submersibles capable of reaching the Challenger Deep, the deepest point of the seabed, approx. 10,925 m (35,843 ft) below sea level.

The proposed buoyancy system will be manufactured from Base Material’s DNV type approved Subtec® 11500, a low-density high-performance syntactic foam buoyancy material, which is qualified for use in seawater depths down to 11,500 metres. The type approval demonstrates the company’s commitment to adhering to the best practices and the stringent performance standards required in the subsea industry.

Base Materials is the first syntactic foam subsea buoyancy manufacturer to receive DNV type approval on its Subtec 11500 material, and DNV Approval of Manufacture for its complete range of Subtec materials.

John Miller, Managing Director at Base Materials, says: “In a world where the depths of our oceans remain largely uncharted, we are immensely proud to partner with Inkfish, an exceptional conservation organisation dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of oceans across the globe.

“The DSV Bakunawa submersible is unique in that it is one of only a handful of DNV certified submersibles for extensive and repeated dives at full ocean depth for oceanographic exploration. Therefore, in replacing its current buoyancy system, it was essential that we could provide DNV approved materials.

“Playing an active role in the understanding of these vital ecosystems by ensuring the integrity of Inkfish’s history-making full ocean depth submersible is a significant achievement for Base Materials. Our partnership marks a significant milestone for our business as a key player in the advancement of global oceanic preservation and exploration.”

With densities from 400 – 650 kg/m3 and grades to suit a range of seawater depths from 2,000 metres to 11,500 metres, Base Materials’ Subtec® buoyancy materials comprise high-grade hollow glass microspheres and a novel thermoset polymer matrix, producing ultra-high strength-to-weight characteristics with excellent water ingress resistance. From water absorption to hydrostatic crush pressure, density to uniaxial compressive strength, and more, the range is rigorously tested in-house.

Comprising high-grade hollow glass microspheres (HGMS) and a novel thermoset polymer matrix, our Subtec® buoyancy materials are formulated to produce ultra-high strength-to-weight characteristics with excellent water ingress resistance. This makes them the ideal solution for subsea applications including crewed and uncrewed vehicles.

Subtec® buoyancy materials are cast into standard block sizes ready for use. Each grade is colour-coded to ensure depth ratings match within buoyancy assemblies.

Finished Subtec® buoyancy modules are manufactured to exact customer specifications and drawings, with the option for the addition of a polyurethane (PU) protective coating for impact and abrasion resistance, aesthetic paint finishes and custom markings.