Development and prospects of non-metallic submersible pressure hull

Nowadays, the full ocean depth submersible has become a focus of world marine research, and higher requirements are proposed for the mechanical properties of the pressure hull, the core component of a submersible, in the deep-sea environment. Upgrading the materials is one of the key ways to realize this goal. Due to such superior material properties as high specific strength and corrosion resistance, certain non-metallic materials such as composites, ceramics, glass, etc. are especially suitable for the manufacture of marine equipment, and show great potential for application to the pressure hull. This paper discusses the material requirements of deep-sea submersible pressure hulls, analyzes the advantages of composites, ceramics and glass in their material properties, briefly introduces the global development and application of various non-metallic materials in submersible pressure hulls, summarizes the technical problems currently faced and discusses avenues which deserve further study in this field.