Ship and boat building

Plastics in boatbuilding combine low weight with high durability and versatile options in design and manufacturing. They are used in yachts, sports boats, workboats and other types of vessel as sheets, semi-finished products and individually manufactured components.

Martan Plastics supports you in selecting suitable plastic materials and supplies plastic semi-finished products as well as individually machined plastic parts for maritime applications. The material, dimensions and machining can be adapted to the requirements of your component.

Plastic parts for yachts, boats and ships

The requirements for plastic parts for yachts and other watercraft differ considerably depending on the place of use. Components in outdoor areas, for example, are exposed to weather, UV radiation and moisture. In technical areas, mechanical loads, friction or contact with operating fluids may also have to be taken into account.

Typical uses of plastic parts in shipbuilding and boatbuilding include:

• covers and cladding
• guides and sliding elements
• bearings and bushes
• spacers and distance pieces
• mounts and structural components
• sealing and sliding elements
• floats and fenders
• components for interior fitting
• technical components to drawing

If you need individual geometries, suitable semi-finished products can be further processed into custom-specific components via our plastic machining.

Advantages of plastic in boatbuilding

In maritime use, plastics can offer various advantages over conventional materials. Which properties are actually achieved always depends on the plastic selected and on the specific operating conditions.

Corrosion resistance

Many plastics do not corrode like metallic materials. This makes them suitable for numerous components that regularly come into contact with water or a damp environment.

Low weight

The comparatively low weight of many plastics makes them interesting for structural components where the component weight is to be reduced.

Good machinability

Plastic sheets, rods and other semi-finished products can, depending on the material, be sawn, drilled, turned or milled. For complex contours and precise components, Martan Plastics offers, among other things, CNC milling of plastic.

Chemical resistance

Depending on the material, plastics can offer high resistance to various chemicals, oils or other media. The media and operating conditions that actually occur should be taken into account for material selection.

Good sliding and wear properties

Materials such as PE or PTFE can be suitable for applications where good sliding properties and low friction resistance are required.

Boatbuilding sheets made of plastic

Plastic sheets are used in boatbuilding and yacht building for numerous structural and functional applications. They can, for example, be used as cladding, covers, backing or base material for milled components.

When selecting a plastic sheet for boatbuilding, the following factors in particular should be taken into account:

• contact with fresh or salt water
• UV and weather exposure
• mechanical stress
• desired rigidity
• wear and friction
• contact with oils, fuels or cleaning agents
• temperature range
• desired dimensions and material thickness
• requirements for further processing

In addition to sheets, other plastic semi-finished products are available depending on the material.

Which plastics are suitable for boatbuilding?

Which plastic is suitable for a particular component depends on its function and operating conditions. A blanket material recommendation is therefore not sensible.

Plastic	Typical properties	Possible applications in shipbuilding and boatbuilding
PE	impact-resistant, low water absorption, good weather resistance depending on grade	floats, fenders, sheets, covers and structural components
PP	low density, good chemical resistance	containers, covers and technical components
PTFE	very good sliding properties and high chemical resistance	sliding bearings, guides, sealing and sliding elements
POM	high dimensional stability, good strength and good sliding properties	bushes, rollers, guides and precision components
PA	high mechanical load capacity and good wear properties	rollers, bearings, guides and other mechanically stressed components

Further information on individual materials can be found under polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and PTFE.

Plastic parts for yachts

On yachts, weight, installation space and precise manufacturing often play an important role alongside technical requirements. Plastic parts can be used both in interior areas and for technical and structural applications.

Possible plastic parts for yachts include, for example:

• covers
• cladding parts
• distance pieces
• guides
• bushes and bearings
• mounts
• sliding elements
• technical milled parts
• components to drawing or sample

For individual yacht plastic parts, suitable semi-finished products can be brought to the required geometry by CNC milling, turning or other machining processes.

Have plastic components manufactured to drawing

In addition to supplying semi-finished products, Martan Plastics supports you in the manufacture of individual plastic components for boatbuilding and shipbuilding.

From suitable semi-finished products, complex contours, bores, recesses, guides or other functional geometries, for example, can be produced. Via plastic machining, material selection and manufacturing can be combined.

For a technical enquiry, the following details in particular are helpful:

• drawing or component dimensions
• desired material, if already specified
• quantity
• tolerances
• service temperature
• mechanical load
• contact with water, chemicals or other media
• special requirements for surface or wear

Applications in various types of vessel

Yachts and sports boats

In yachts and sports boats, plastic parts can be used for cladding, covers, technical components, guides, bearings and other individual components.

Workboats and commercial vehicles

On workboats, the focus is often on robust, low-maintenance and functional components. Depending on the application, wear-resistant, sliding or chemically resistant plastics may be considered.

Cargo and merchant ships

In professional shipbuilding too, engineering plastics can be used for functional components, bearings, guides or individually machined components.

Special and rescue boats

For particularly demanding applications, the material selection must be specifically adapted to mechanical load, environment and desired service life.

Selecting the right plastic for boatbuilding

Not every plastic is automatically suitable for permanent use on board. For selection, you should therefore consider not only the material name but the actual operating conditions.

Particularly relevant are contact with water and weather, UV exposure, temperature, mechanical stress, friction, wear and possible contact with chemicals or operating fluids.

Martan Plastics supports you in determining a suitable material as well as a suitable delivery form and machining for your component. From plastic semi-finished products to the individually manufactured plastic part, you receive a solution to match your technical application.

Frequently asked questions about plastics in shipbuilding and boatbuilding

Which plastics are used in boatbuilding?

Depending on the application, PE, PP, PTFE, POM and PA, among others, may be considered. Which material is suitable depends, for example, on water and UV exposure, mechanical requirements, temperature, wear and chemical contact.

Which plastic is suitable for yacht parts?

This can only be determined on the basis of the respective application. Different requirements apply to covers than to bearings, guides or mechanically stressed components. Material, geometry and ambient conditions should therefore be considered together.

Are there plastic sheets for boatbuilding?

Yes. Plastic sheets can be used as semi-finished products for covers, cladding, backings and individually milled components. Material and sheet thickness should be selected according to the intended application.

Can plastic parts for boats be manufactured individually?

Yes. From suitable plastic semi-finished products, individual parts can be produced to drawing or technical specifications. Depending on the geometry, CNC milling, CNC turning or other machining processes may be considered, for example.

Why are plastics used in shipbuilding?

Possible advantages include low weight, corrosion resistance, good machinability and, depending on the material, high resistance to chemicals, wear or weather.

Which plastic is suitable for salt water?

Suitability does not depend solely on contact with salt water. Temperature, UV radiation, mechanical load and other media, among other things, should also be taken into account. Material selection should therefore always be based on the specific operating conditions.

Plastic solutions for your boatbuilding or shipbuilding project

Do you need plastic sheets, semi-finished products or individually manufactured plastic parts for a boat, a yacht or another maritime application? Martan Plastics supports you in selecting the suitable material and the appropriate machining.

Send us your drawing, dimensions and technical requirements. Together we will determine a suitable plastic solution for your application.