Published on:2026-05-24 Click:17
Multicore neutrally buoyant ROV tether cable. Custom multicore foamed PUR design for ROV systems requiring many independent conductors in a single buoyant tether cable.
The multicore neutrally buoyant ROV tether is a fully customisable foamed PUR tether cable for ROV integrators and research institutions requiring a specific combination of conductor types, counts, and cross-sections in a single buoyant tether. Cores can include power conductors, twisted-pair signal pairs, coaxial video, and fiber optic in any combination, all within a foamed PUR jacket tuned to the specified buoyancy. The foamed polyurethane (PUR) jacket uses a micro-cellular expanded jacket compound with a bulk density lower than seawater (~1.025 g/cm³), giving the cable near-zero or positive net buoyancy. This eliminates tether sag and reduces drag force on the ROV, improving vehicle manoeuvrability and reducing tether management workload during subsea operations.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cores | Fully custom (power, signal, coaxial, fiber) |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Buoyancy | Near-neutral (tunable) |
| Strength Member | Kevlar or Dyneema (optional, MBS per spec) |
| Depth Rating | Up to 6,000 m |
| OD | Per custom specification |
| Custom | Complete -- all parameters specified by customer |
Request datasheet, custom length, or OEM pricing: sales@rovcable.com -- Shanghai Kabel Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.
The jacket is manufactured from a micro-cellular expanded (foamed) polyurethane compound. During extrusion, a controlled foaming agent creates millions of tiny closed-cell air pockets within the jacket wall. These air cells reduce the bulk density of the jacket below that of seawater (~1.025 g/cm³), producing positive or neutral net buoyancy. The jacket retains all the abrasion resistance, oil resistance, and flexibility of standard PUR while achieving the buoyancy needed for ROV tether applications.
Yes. Buoyancy (positive, neutral, or slightly negative) is tuned by adjusting the foam cell density in the jacket compound and the jacket wall thickness. Specify the required net buoyancy per metre (in g/m) and the water salinity (fresh / brackish / seawater) when ordering. We can also add a Kevlar or Dyneema strength member to increase tensile strength without significantly changing buoyancy.
