HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced the world’s first application of a damping material made from graphene, often referred to as a dream material, on warships on Dec. 6.
The damping material for warships, similar to a coating, is applied to the lower engine deck and the upper structure of the propeller. It reduces radiated noise by blocking vibrations transmitted from machinery. It is also installed around the structures of sonar covers, enhancing stealth capabilities and enemy ship detection.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developed this graphene-based damping material for warships in collaboration with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and VN Chemical, a ship paint specialist. The company has applied it to warships and confirmed its excellent vibration and noise reduction effects.
The warship damping material developed by the company has been certified by the Korean Register (KR) and is a combination of polyurethane and graphene. Graphene, a polymer allotrope of carbon, consists of carbon atoms connected in a hexagonal honeycomb structure forming a two-dimensional plane. It is known for its excellent conductivity, strength, and flexibility, earning the title of “dream material.” Especially when applied as a damping material, it effectively converts vibrational energy into thermal energy for dissipation. Additionally, it offers excellent adhesion and fire resistance, is environmentally friendly with no harmful substances, and retains its damping performance even after over six months of exposure to seawater.
The warships equipped with this newly developed damping material include the state-of-the-art Jeongjo the Great Aegis destroyer, the new Chungnam escort ship, and the 3,000-ton class Sin Chae-ho submarine.