Composite Material in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aids to Navigation

Corrosion of metal, along with concrete and timber deterioration are common occurrences for aids to navigation (ATON) structures. These mechanisms of failure occur at various rates and are dependent upon the environment in which the structures reside. Fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) has a superior ability to withstand the harsh marine environments across the U.S. when compared against conventionally used timber, steel, and concrete materials. It is highly resilient to traditional modes of degradation such as biodeterioration (fungal decay, marine borers, microbiologically induced corrosion), freeze/thaw, and corrosion. The use of FRP for ATON yields large amounts of energy absorption if an aid gets hit by a vessel, reducing the probability of a structural failure. Disposal and recycling FRP and UV resistance are currently being researched in depth to find cost effective solutions that will keep FRP out of landfills and prolong their life, respectively.