Fine Ceramic Materials Play an Important Role in Submarine Earthquake Observation

Silicon nitride, a Fine Ceramic material, exhibits characteristic features of high compressive strength, corrosion resistance and low specific density in its use for submarine pressure-resistant containers.
Conventionally, pressure-resistant containers have been made of glass — which cannot withstand the same depth as containers made of silicon nitride. Using Fine Ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics") has allowed the installation of a seismograph at a sea depth of 11,000 meters (36,089 feet) in the Mariana Trench, which is believed to be the world's deepest.

(Photo: Nippon Marine Enterprises, Ltd.)

(Photo: Courtesy of Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC))

Self-Surfacing Ocean Bottom Seismograph

The self-surfacing ocean bottom seismograph records seismic movement on the bottom of the sea. Once measurements are taken the main body separates from the weight device and floats to the surface where it is collected so the data can be analyzed.
Some ocean bottom seismographs have their seismic data recorders placed in high-pressure-resistant glass containers. Measurement of seismic data in a deeper sea, requires higher resistance to pressure, thus an increase in use of ceramic containers for this application is expected in the future.

*Image shows ceramic container.
(Photo: Courtesy of Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC))

Comparison of Strength and Specific Density Between Fine Ceramics and Metals

*The values in the graphs are for reference purposes only.
(Data: Courtesy of Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC))

The graphs above show comparisons of silicon nitride, alumina, high-strength stainless steel and titanium alloy; confirming the higher compressive strength and lower specific density of Fine Ceramics to those of metals.

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