Select ideal tube material for Rigid Aluminum Boats: Comprehensive analysis for PVC, TAIWAN HYPALON and Orca HYPALON

Aluminum RIB Inflatable Boats popular in Europe and USA Market these years because of the durability, ulta lightweight, customization and high performance. Yoolwin Boat all aluminum rigid inflatable boats size from 3m to 11m, aluminum  hull all use best marine grade material 5083 by CCS. Thickness according to the boat length and size, also customer special  demand. Tube material also importance for the choice during production, will much influent the aluminum hull inflatable boats performance and lifetime. There are following different factors should consider during choose the suitable RIB Boat. 

1. Tube material structure

PVC material can be popular used in aluminum  hull rib production. Because its durability and lightweight, cost-effective feathers.  Makes it good choice for fold inflatable dinghy boat or aluminum hull inflatable boats. Material made from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, Plasticizer, Stabilizer, Filler, Colorant, Antioxidants and UV absorbers. Thickness different from 0.9mm and 1.2mm.

HYPALON is one kind of fabric, made from polyethylene through chlorosulfonation. With better weather-resistance, water-resistance, UV-resistance, and chemical-resistance. At present most used for TAIWAN HYPALON and ORCA HYPALON. Taiwan HYPALON, import from TAIWAN, China. Just outside layer with HYPALON material. Thickness from 1.0mm and 1.2mm. ORCA HYPALON, import from France, at present the best tube material made for aluminum rib. Orca hypalon 828, thickness 1.0mm, Orca hypalon 866, thickness 1.2mm. 

2. Choose Tube Material According to Aluminum  RIBs Length

PVC material normally used for dinghy aluminum boats. Size from 3m to 5m. PVC material tube is cost-effective option. Lightweight and easy to work with. Small dinghy aluminum boat normally used in calm rivers/ lakes or near shore sea. Do not with much larger impact on the water. 

When aluminum rib length increase, above 5 meters, Hypalon material will be one popular choice. Hypalon material normally used for size 5-11m boat. Customer can choose TAIWAN HYPALON or Orca hypalon. TAIWAN HYPALON material normally used for boat 5-8m aluminum rigid inflatable boat. Orca hypalon material normally used for 8-11m aluminum semi rigid boat. 

3. Choose Tube Material According to Rigid Aluminum Boats Use Conditions

When choosing tube material for rigid aluminum boats, using water conditions.  If for calm waters, like river or lakes or near sea, normally PVC will be first choice because of the better price and ultra lightweight. PVC material can also supply better buoyancy and durability for the aluminum rigid inflatable boats. If for coastal conditions with strong wind and high waves, hypalon material will be better choice, even the price is better, can also supply better water impact. 

PVC material suitable for cooler or cold waters, like Europe or Canada market, do not need worry about the tube break because of the high temperature. PVC material when producing the aluminum boats ribs, use hot welding process, can also much increase the tube durability. Hypalon material suitable for hot weather conditions, like Australia or Africa market, summer with high temperature and high UV, hypalon material will be the best choice because of the feathers for UV resistance and high temperature resistance. 

Hypalon material compare with PVC, more suitabel for salt water usages. Salt corrosion feather maks it can be used in challaging sea water conditions. 

4. Choose Tube Material According to Aluminum Semi Rigid Boats Usage 

Aluminum rib boats can be used in different functions. Family leisure/ small tender and dinghy/ water sports/ government rescue/ patrol and research etc. 

Small tender and dinghy aluminum boats, normally choose PVC material, because equip with small size of outboard engine or electric motors. With small power, do not need with better tube impact. Family leisure or water sports aluminum inflatable boats, PVC material also be the first choice, because of with better price and cost. But for large size luxury aluminum rib boats, like Yoolwin 960 luxury rib boat and 1060 speed aluminum ribs, Orca hypalon 866 will be best, because equip with large power outboard motors, the tube should bear super large water impact when boat sailing fast in the ocean sea. 

Goverment rescue aluminum rigid boat and patrol inflatable aluminum boat, Orca hypalon material most recommended. Most popular model for 8.6m patrol aluminum boat and 9.6m rescue aluminum ribs, these boats when used in the tasks, should run in fast speed, even with full load, whole boat should also with better performance, high power and speed, better buoyancy, Orca material can give this easily. 

5. Choose Tube Material According to Aluminum Boats Rigid Color

PVC material with different color designs. During production also easy to deal with, just connect with glue is Okay. Colorful color as following PVC color card show. 

Hypalon material import from Taiwan or France, most regular color for Ice white/ military gray/ black. If choose other colorful color, should import directly, this will much increase the production time and increase the tube material cost. 

6. Choose Tube Material According to Production Process

PVC material tube made from hot welding process, should skilled and experienced workers finish it. Hot welding process can create a very strong and durable joint, making it suitable for applications where the PVC structure needs to be highly reliable. More stable, suitable used in cold and hot conditions. And PVC material cost is much better than Hypalon tube. 

HYPALON material tube made from cold glue process, polish the material first, glue together. Because Hypalon material with better UV resistance. More suitable used in hot weather positions. 

When choose the suitable aluminum rigid inflatable boat, should consider above factors comprehensively.