Thermoplastic, rubber-like marine antifouling coatings with micro-structures via mechanical embossing. Issue 2 (7th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bus, Tom; Dale, Marie L.; Reynolds, Kevin J.; Bastiaansen, Cees W. M.
• Is Part Of: Biofouling. Volume 36:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2020-02-07
• Subjects: Thermoplastic fluoropolymers -- surface topography -- biofilm assays -- foul-release -- marine coatings; Marine fouling organisms -- Periodicals; Materials -- Biodeterioration -- Periodicals; Fouling -- Periodicals; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Environmental Microbiology -- Periodicals; Water Microbiology -- Periodicals; 576.165
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2020.1734576
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-7014

Abstract

Abstract: New processing routes and materials for non-biocidal, antifouling (AF) coatings with an improved performance are currently much sought after for a range of marine applications. Here, the processing, physical properties and marine AF performance of a fluorinated coating based on a thermoplastic (non-crosslinked) fluorinated polymer are reported. It was found that the addition of lubricating oil and hydrodynamic drag reducing microstructures improved the AF properties substantially, i.e. the settlement of a marine biofilm, containing mixed microalgae including diatoms, was reduced to low levels. More importantly, the remaining fouling was removed from the coatings at low hydrodynamic shear rates and promising AF properties were obtained. Moreover, additional potential benefits were revealed originating from the thermoplastic nature of the coating material which might result in significant cost reductions.