Generally, rubber fenders can be classified into two main categories based on their structure: solid rubber fenders (non-floating type) and floating rubber fenders.
Solid rubber fenders (non-floating type) are the oldest and most widely used anti-collision devices for dock vessels. Based on the stress conditions they experience, they can be classified as shear type, rotation type, and compression type; based on their structure, solid rubber fenders can be further classified as D-type, conical, drum-shaped, fan-shaped, rectangular, cylindrical, etc.
Floating rubber fenders can float freely on the water surface. Based on their internal cushioning medium, they can be divided into: inflatable rubber fenders and filled rubber fenders.
Inflatable rubber fenders use compressed air as the medium, dissipating collision energy through the work done by the compressed air.
Foam-filled fenders, also known as solid polyurethane fenders, have a cushioning medium primarily composed of closed-cell foam materials, such as foamed EVA, foamed polyurethane, and foamed rubber.