Material Selection for Mooring Bollards: Properties and Applications
Mooring bollards are essential equipment used to secure ship ropes at dock and port facilities. The material used directly affects their load-bearing capacity, corrosion resistance and service life. Depending on operating environment and project requirements, bollards are commonly made of different materials and can be categorized into the following four main types:
Cast Steel Mooring Bollard
Features
Made of high-strength steel, it offers excellent toughness and can withstand significant impact and tensile forces, making it suitable for large-tonnage vessels.
Applications:
Container terminals, ore terminals, oil and gas terminals, and other locations requiring high mooring load capacity.
Cast Iron Mooring Bollard
Features
Primarily made of gray cast iron or ductile iron, it provides good wear and corrosion resistance. While relatively affordable, cast iron is brittle and prone to breaking under sudden impact.
Applications:
Inland river terminals, small fishing ports, yacht terminals, and other environments with relatively lower loads.
Stainless Steel Mooring Bollard
Features
Excellent corrosion resistance, particularly suitable for high-salt fog and humid marine environments. It also provides an attractive appearance, durability in harsh conditions, and low maintenance, but is more expensive.
Applications:
High-end yacht marinas, passenger terminals, coastal landscape projects, and other projects requiring high aesthetic and corrosion resistance.
Mooring Bollard with Welded Steel
Features
Typically made by welding steel plates and steel pipes, this type features a robust single bitt or double bitt structure and short manufacturing cycles. It can be customized according to site conditions, but requires high-quality welding and regular maintenance of protective coating.
Applications:
Temporary engineering piers, shipyard berths, and projects requiring rapid construction.
Mooring Bollard Material Selection Tips
When selecting marine bollard, the most appropriate material should be determined based on specific project requirements, environmental conditions and budget. Choosing the right material not only improves dock efficiency, but also reduces maintenance costs and enhances safety over the long term.