Objectives  To improve the shock resistance ability of submarines,

  Methods  an anti-shock cladding for submarines which consists of a compound coating with rubber and plastic foam is proposed on the basis of the shock environment of submarines. The numerical model is established by Abaqus/Explicit to analyze the dynamic response of anti-shock cladding under the combined loads of hydrostatic pressure and underwater explosion loads.

  Results  The results indicate that the deformation of the cladding is negligible under hydrostatic pressure, and the shock load is largely mitigated when the yield stress of the cladding is higher than the hydrostatic pressure. Conversely, the deformation of the cladding is great under hydrostatic pressure and the shock mitigation effects of the coating are weakened when the yield stress of the cladding is lower than the hydrostatic pressure. As such, the yield stress of the cladding should be higher than the hydrostatic pressure, and densification should be avoided.

  Conclusions   The research findings in this paper can provide guidance for the design of anti-shock cladding for submarines.