CET Experts Address Carbon Fiber Safety and Engineering in Deep-Sea Submersibles
In the wake of the OceanGate Titan submersible loss, renewed scrutiny fell on the use of carbon fiber in deep-sea applications. In an episode of CW Talks, representatives from Composite Energy Technologies (CET), a Bristol, Rhode Island–based manufacturer of advanced composite structures, addressed these concerns by explaining their extensive experience designing and testing carbon fiber pressure vessels for undersea use. CET President Chase Hogoboom and Chief Design Engineer T.J. Perrotti described the company’s long history with composites—from high-performance racing sailboats to defense-focused unmanned submersibles—and emphasized that carbon fiber has been successfully used for decades in demanding environments when engineered, tested, and manufactured correctly.
The discussion highlighted the unique challenges of deep-ocean conditions, particularly the extreme pressures encountered at depths of up to 6,000 meters, and the need for rigorous, empirical testing rather than reliance on theoretical assumptions or material datasheets. CET detailed its work with the U.S. Navy and the Office of Naval Research, including systematic pressure-chamber testing, fatigue cycling, intentional implosions, and extensive evaluation of material bonding and manufacturing tolerances. Both speakers stressed that safety, validation, and conservative design practices are central to successful undersea engineering, arguing that carbon fiber—when properly designed and qualified—remains a reliable, lightweight, and effective material for deep-sea pressure vessels despite public misconceptions following the Titan incident.