Thermoplastic, rubber-like marine antifouling coatings with micro-structures via mechanical embossing

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 138 - 145
• Main Authors: Bus, Tom, Dale, Marie L., Reynolds, Kevin J., Bastiaansen, Cees W. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 07.02.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Antifouling coatings; Antifouling substances; Biocides; biofilm assays; Biofilms; Coatings; Crosslinking; Diatoms; Drag reduction; Embossing; Fluoropolymers; foul-release; Hydrodynamics; Lubricating oils; marine coatings; Physical properties; Phytoplankton; Polymers; Protective coatings; surface topography; Thermoplastic fluoropolymers; Thermoplastic fluoropolymers; foul-release; biofilm assays; marine coatings; surface topography
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2020.1734576

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.