Founded in 1985, Nautilus Marine Service GmbH is a German-based manufacturer specializing in deep-sea pressure housings made from borosilicate glass, marketed under the VITROVEX® brand. With exports to over 30 countries and a strong global distributor network, Nautilus is a trusted partner to the world’s leading oceanographic research institutions and subsea operators.
VITROVEX® products are designed for long-term performance, sustainability, and adaptability, providing reliable solutions for both pressure housing and flotation applications in demanding underwater environments.
Nautilus offers flotation and instrument housings in a variety of shapes:
Size ranges from approximately 2 inches to 20 inches in outer diameter. Depending on wall thickness and diameter, housings can withstand pressures up to 1200 bar.
To meet specific research and integration needs, housings can incorporate:
Each glass housing is manufactured to strict tolerances and can be integrated into new or existing instrument setups.
Nautilus operates its own computer-controlled pressure test facility (700mm inner diameter, 1400mm length), capable of testing housings up to 1300 bar. Products are typically acquired in small quantities following detailed consultation to meet custom requirements, making Nautilus’ personal service and flexibility a key differentiator.
VITROVEX® glass housings combine mechanical performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Advantages include:
The name “glass” comes from the Old Germanic word for amber —”glasa”—meaning “shining” or “shimmering”. Interestingly, while both amber and glass are solid liquids, glass continues to intrigue scientists with its unique nature. Glass may be described as:
Natural glass appears in forms like:
The art of glassmaking may date back to 7000 BCE, with Egyptians, Babylonians, and Assyrians all contributing to early techniques. One recipe reads, “Take 60 parts sand, 180 parts seaweed ash, and 5 parts chalkstone — and you’ll get a glass.” This inscription was discovered on a clay tablet in King Assurbanipal’s library in Nineveh, circa 650 BCE.
Glass is not a single compound but a mixture, primarily based on silicon dioxide (SiO2) with additives like:
Glass types generally fall into three categories:
VITROVEX® housings are made of borosilicate glass, which offers:
Commonly used in laboratories, households, and fire protection, borosilicate glass stands out for its durability and thermal shock resistance.
Nautilus Marine Service is recognized in Germany as a trusted specialist in marine safety and oceanographic instrumentation, and internationally as a provider of extremely pressure-resistant glass housings. With over 90% of production exported, Nautilus works through regional distributors to serve commercial, institutional, and governmental clients across the marine technology sector.
In 2015, Nautilus was awarded the Compass International Award by the Marine Technology Society, honoring its innovation and product excellence.
VITROVEX glass products are used in more than 30 countries (green)