Polyurethane seismic streamer skins: an application of cold spray metal embedment

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Vucko, M.J., King, P.C., Poole, A.J., Jahedi, M.Z., de Nys, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.01.2013; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adhesiveness; Animals; antifouling; Antifouling substances; biofouling; Biofouling - prevention & control; Bryozoa - drug effects; Bryozoa - growth & development; cold spray metals; Copper; Copper - chemistry; Copper - pharmacology; Density; Effectiveness; Embedment; Exploration; Fouling; Fouling organisms; Geophysical exploration; Geophysics; Heavy metals; Invertebrates; Marine crustaceans; Metal particles; Metals; Pest Control - methods; Polychaeta - drug effects; Polychaeta - growth & development; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Polymers - pharmacology; Polyurethane; Polyurethane resins; Polyurethanes - chemistry; Skin; Species Specificity; Sprayers; Sprays; Streamers; Surface Properties; Technology; thermoplastic polymers; Thoracica - drug effects; Thoracica - growth & development; Time Factors; Ulva - drug effects; Ulva - growth & development
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2012.741682

Cold spray metal embedment is an innovative antifouling (AF) technology that delivers metal particles with AF properties into many thermoplastic polymers. AF efficacy was quantified for low (22.1 ± 4.8 g m −2 ) and high (101.1 ± 10.8 g m −2 ) densities of copper particles embedded into polyurethane (PU) seismic streamer skins, which are used in geophysical exploration. Failure of each Cu-embedded treatment was defined as settlement of hard foulers. Low-density streamers failed after 42 days while high-density streamers failed after 210 days. Most importantly, the high-density streamers were completely free of hard foulers including the barnacle Amphibalanus reticulatus during this time period. In conclusion, cold-spray metal embedment is an effective AF technology for PU seismic streamer skins, under intense fouling conditions. Higher copper particle densities enhance AF longevity and the effect of density provides a tool to extend efficacy and enhance AF performance for specific polymers.