Marinisation

Marinisation (also marinization) is design, redesign, or testing of products specifically for use and long-term survival in the harsh marine environment. This is done by many manufacturing industries worldwide including many military organisations (especially navies). The main challenge is for the engineers who design the product from the scratch. Every part needs to be designed in order to fit to the marine environment and then to resist its "natural attacks".

There are three main factors that need to be considered for a product to be truly marinised.
 * Corrosion
 * Vibration
 * A constantly changing attitude of the vessel, similar to aircraft attitude

These three factors are a constant in the marine environment. Even on a dead calm day all three factors will still apply. This would apply even to a fresh water marine environment.

Electronics
Marinised electronics are electronics that use one or more of the following protection methods. In most cases more than one method is used:


 * 1) Coated by a spray or dipping to protect from salt air and water.
 * 2) Fully encapsulated in some form of resin or gel.
 * 3) Protected from Vibrations by specialised mounting of internal parts.
 * 4) Special corrosion resistant solder and corrosion resistant metals are used

Metals
Marinised metals include some of the following examples:


 * 1) Metals made up of alloys that do not corrode or resist corrosion. Ie. 316 marine grade Stainless steel.
 * 2) Metals that have been electroplated or dipped in a corrosion-resistant material. Ie. Galvanised steel.
 * 3) Metals that are painted with special anti rust or anti corrosion coatings.
 * 4) Naturally resistant metals such as Brass are also considered marinised if manufactured to a high quality without impurities that corrode.
 * 5) Plastic coated metals

Batteries
Marinised batteries are usually Gel battery or sealed maintenance free battery. Not using marinised batteries in salt water can be deadly in an enclosed environment for many reasons:


 * 1) Sulfuric acid and salt water are a dangerous combination. Mixing the two creates deadly hydrogen chloride gas. Therefore, you must use a maintenance free sealed battery that is valve regulated.
 * 2) The battery must have stronger plates and separators to compensate for constant vibrations and for impacts caused by large waves hitting the hull. If a standard battery is used and the plates collapse it can cause a short and electrical fire or explosion.
 * 3) A marine battery must be capable of working at any angle due to the constant changing attitude of the vessel it is mounted in. Gel VRLA batteries are best for this purpose.