Common materials used in the manufacturing of oil spill response containment booms are Polyurethane, PVC, Hypalon or Neoprene (or a blend of two). These materials all have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the intended use of the containment boom such as hot climates, cold climates, prolonged UV exposure and continuous or emergency use.

The majority of the above materials consist of a base material, sometimes referred to as the polyester or nylon weave, which gives the material its strength and outer layers to prevent porosity and to make the material air and watertight.

Delamination is when one or both of the outer layers start to de-bond from the internal weave eventually resulting in failure.

Delamination of boom material is uncommon; it normally happens due to two possibilities. The first could be a material defect when the material was originally manufactured and could be localised to a section of boom or the material has absorbed water from the exposed weave which then causes the parting of the outer layers of outer material away from the weave.

If found soon enough and remedy work is carried out, the material can sometimes be repaired, but "chasing" out delamination is no easy task, the photos on the left and below show a recent repair carried out by OSSC on a Neoprene oil containment boom where the delamination has to be cut out and a new inflation compartment was manufactured and re vulcanised into the existing boom section.

This repair was able to be carried out on our customers premises which ensured the containment boom remained on standby in case of an emergency.

Check out the completed repair photos at the bottom of the page.

If you have any oil containment booms, tanks or bladders that require repair, or any Oil Spill Response Equipment service requirements, get in touch and we will do our best to help you out!