Novel Fouling Release Coating Systems Based on Nano Technology for the Marine Industry

Non-toxic foul release based on silicone elastomers due to their low surface energy and low elastic modulus prevent fouling settlement on ship hulls. In this work, we designed fouling release coating based on nano technology systems. The influence parameters on the mechanical and surface properties of silicone elastomers investigated. SEM results reveal that the nano particles dispersed uniformly in silicone matrix. The result proved that incorporation of silica nano particles in the formulations increased the elastic modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and abrasion resistance of coatings. Also, AFM results indicate that the average surface roughness for both coating system were lower than 100 nm. Moreover, the filed test proven the good fouling release performance in sea water. We managed to create a fouling release coating with better mechanical properties and almost the same fouling release behavior.

Keywords:

Silicone elastomer , nano technology , fouling release coatings , mechanical properties , surface properties , filed test , sea water