The OceanGate Titan submersible, which featured a hull primarily constructed from carbon fibers, experienced a devastating implosion in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the tragic loss of five crew members. Investigation into the incident, led by experts like Arun Bansil, a distinguished professor of physics at Northeastern, is currently focused on determining the potential role of the experimental carbon-fiber hull, hastily constructed within a six-week timeframe, in causing the disaster.
During its descent in the Atlantic Ocean, the OceanGate Titan submersible suffered an implosion that claimed the lives of five crew members. Attention has turned toward the unique carbon-fiber hull, marking a significant advancement in deep-sea vehicle technology, as a possible contributing factor. While carbon-fiber composites offer benefits such as lightweight and high strength, their ability to withstand extreme deep-sea pressures remains insufficiently understood. This emphasizes the necessity for further research and testing to ensure their suitability in such demanding applications.
As authorities now possess the debris of the OceanGate Titan submersible, investigators are diligently working to reconstruct the events that led to the vessel’s implosion more than two weeks ago in the Atlantic Ocean.
Northeastern Global News recently consulted Arun Bansil, a distinguished professor of physics at Northeastern, to gain insights into the circumstances that may have transpired deep beneath the surface, where the tragic demise of the five crew members occurred.
One possible explanation receiving considerable attention involves the vessel’s experimental carbon-fiber hull, which, reportedly, was fabricated in a mere six-week timeframe.
Northeastern Global News once again sought Bansil’s expertise to provide a concise overview, including historical context, of carbon-fiber materials’ utilization in deep-sea watercraft. The following conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Arun Bansil, a distinguished professor of physics, poses for a portrait in the ISEC building. Credit: Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
There has been substantial discussion regarding the carbon-fiber composition of the Titan submersible. Could you explain why carbon-fiber materials may not withstand deep-ocean pressure as effectively as titanium, aluminum, and steel?
Carbon fiber-based composites have proven successful in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, sports, medical, and consumer sectors, owing to their lightweight and high-strength properties.
However, this is not the case for deep-sea applications, where steel, titanium, and aluminum are widely employed for manufacturing pressure hulls.
Titan was the first deep-sea vehicle to feature a hull primarily composed of carbon fibers. The ability of carbon fibers to endure repeated cycles of stress, particularly compressive stress, under the extreme pressures of the deep sea remains poorly understood, making it challenging to design carbon-fiber-based hulls that guarantee safety.
Additionally, the degradation caused by water absorption on the epoxy binding the carbon fibers in the composite must be considered when assessing the failure of the Titan.
When did carbon fiber first emerge as a potential material for these types of watercraft?
Around 2000, adventurer Steve Fossett began exploring the use of carbon fibers for the hull of a one-person submersible designed to reach the deepest point in the Mariana Trench, known as Challenger Deep, at approximately 36,000 feet.
The commissioned submersible, DeepFlight Challenger, has not undergone testing or deployment. Consequently, Titan became the first deep-sea submersible to incorporate a carbon-fiber hull.
Why are companies experimenting with these new materials, and are there other alternatives showing promise?
New materials serve as the foundation for transformative scientific and engineering advancements. Carbon fibers offer numerous advantages over metals, including high strength, lightweight nature, and corrosion resistance.
Titan had successfully completed several dives to the Titanic shipwreck. Until the ongoing investigations are concluded, it is premature to determine the primary cause behind its implosion.
I anticipate that researchers will eventually develop carbon-fiber-based materials suitable for deep-sea applications, accompanied by testing protocols ensuring the safe operation of submersibles.
Read More: Physicist Provides Insight into the “Catastrophic Implosion” of Titan – Its Causes and Impact on the Crew
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about deep-sea pressures
What caused the implosion of OceanGate’s Titan submersible in the Atlantic Ocean?
The implosion of OceanGate’s Titan submersible in the Atlantic Ocean is currently under investigation. One potential factor being examined is the experimental carbon-fiber hull used in the submersible. The ability of carbon fibers to withstand deep-sea pressures is not well understood, making it necessary to conduct further research and testing in this area.
Why are carbon-fiber materials being used in deep-sea vehicles?
Carbon-fiber materials offer advantages such as lightweight and high strength, making them attractive for various industries. In the case of deep-sea vehicles, their potential use stems from these properties. However, their ability to withstand the extreme pressures of the deep sea is a critical concern that requires additional investigation and development.
Is the implosion of the Titan submersible indicative of a failure in carbon-fiber materials?
The implosion of the Titan submersible does not necessarily indicate a general failure of carbon-fiber materials. It highlights the need for a better understanding of their behavior under deep-sea pressures and the design considerations necessary for safe operation. Ongoing investigations will provide valuable insights into the specific factors contributing to this incident.
Are there alternative materials to carbon fiber for deep-sea applications?
Traditionally, materials such as steel, titanium, and aluminum have been widely used in deep-sea vehicles due to their established ability to withstand extreme pressures. However, ongoing advancements in materials science may lead to the development of carbon-fiber-based materials that can meet the challenges of deep-sea applications. Further research and testing are needed to explore alternative materials and ensure their suitability for deep-sea environments.
More about deep-sea pressures
- OceanGate
- Northeastern University
- Carbon Fiber Composites
- Deep-Sea Exploration
- Titanic Shipwreck
- Mariana Trench
5 comments
Such a tragedy losing crew members like that. Carbon-fiber sounds like an amazing material, but maybe it’s not cut out for the deep ocean. Safety first, folks! Let’s hope they find better solutions soon.
wow this is sad, the titan submersible with carbon fiber hull imploding?! whoa! the deep sea can be so intense! hope they figure out what happened, and make it safer next time
Holy moly, the Titan imploding? That’s a nightmare! Carbon-fiber or not, deep-sea is a whole different ball game. Gotta give props to those brave explorers. Hoping they learn from this and keep pushing the boundaries safely!
Carbon-fiber is like the new buzzword, right? Everyone’s using it! But who would’ve thought it could have problems under deep-sea pressure? That’s a real bummer. They better do more research before diving again!
omg, I had no idea they were using carbon-fiber for deep-sea stuff! so cool and risky at the same time. I hope the investigation gives answers and they fix it. deep-sea exploration is fascinating.