Owing to the low density and relative low price, expanded polymers appear to be competitive for buoyancy systems. Expanded polymers are particularly efficient to develop buoyancy modules of submarine robots such as ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle). This work describes water absorption mechanisms of two expanded polymers (expanded polyurethane and expanded polystyrene), in various aqueous media (seawater and distilled water). The influence of the samples geometry on the water absorption kinetics was studied. The samples with a larger contact area with water were found to be more susceptible to water absorption. The analyses also reveal a potential loss of material in the expanded polyurethane due to its manipulation during the absorption tests. The influence of the aqueous media was also significant for this material, which presents a level of absorption in distilled water higher than in seawater. The results of this study justify the selection of the expanded polystyrene, which appears particularly suitable to the development of the buoyancy modules of submarine mini-robots.
ROV; expanded polymer; water absorption; materials degradation
