Degradation of nontoxic fouling-release coatings as a result of abrasion and long-term exposure

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995

OSTI ID:146967

Meyer, A E; Baier, R E; Forsberg, R L ^[1]

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1. State Univ. of New York at Buffalo, NY (United States)

Previous work by this research group demonstrates that methylsilicone-based coatings having critical surface tensions between 20 and 25 mN/m allow easy mechanical detachment of zebra mussel infestations and other fouling for at least 2 years. Continuing evaluations of the coated test panels and trash racks at test sites in western New York confirm and extend the 2-year findings. Coatings which, in addition, contain elutable oils display an apparent further resistance to initial colonization by zebra mussels, but this early benefit does not carry over to the brush-removal forces required for cleaning of the once-fouled coating. Several of the elastomeric methylsilicone coatings are prone to cutting and abrasion damage, limiting their suitability for heavy-duty use and/or situations requiring periodic cleaning. Since standard tests for abrasion and wear developed for paints are not applicable to elastomeric coatings, our laboratory is using a brush abrasion test to evaluate fouling-release coatings for an increasing series of wet brushing cycles.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 146967
• Report Number(s): EPRI-TR--105116; CONF-9502124--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
BENTHOS
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
COATINGS
CONTROL
ELASTOMERS
EVALUATION
INTAKE STRUCTURES
MUSSELS
SILICONES